The year’s not over with yet, but with the holidays coming up and a list of things I still want to do (top ten list, challenge wrap-ups, goals for 2012, etc.), I thought I’d post this now and do a follow-up later, if needed. Plus, if I never get around to writing all the reviews, at least I have one post I can refer to.  The books are listed in the order in which they were read.

5 Stars

Buffalo West Wing (Hyzy, Julie) {16 Jan 11}
Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil (Karpyshyn, Drew) {6 Feb 11}
Unchained (Ashwood, Sharon) {26 Feb 11}
Queen of Shadows (Sylvan, Dianne) {14 Mar 11}
Song of Scarabaeus (Creasy, Sara) {23 Mar 11}
The Hunger Games (Collins, Suzanne) {6 Apr 11}
Visions of Heat (Singh, Nalini) {12 May 11}
Magic Lost Trouble Found (Shearin, Lisa) {21 May 11}
Caressed by Ice (Singh, Nalini) {22 May 11}
Mine to Possess (Singh, Nalini) {24 May 11}
Magic Slays (Andrews, Ilona) {1 Jun 11}
Renegade Angel (Castle, Kendra Leigh) {6 Jun 11}
Frostbound (Ashwood, Sharon) {13 Jun 11}
Red Heat (Bruhns, Nina) {22 Jun 11}}
Touched by an Alien (Koch, Gini) {30 Jun 11}
Dragon Bound (Harrison, Thea) {2 Jul 11}
Storm’s Heart (Harrison, Thea) {5 Aug 11}
Branded by Fire (Singh, Nalini) {15 Aug 11}
Tiger Eye (Liu, Marjorie M.) {4 Sep 11}
Blaze of Memory (Singh, Nalina) {18 Sep 11}
Bonds of Justice (Singh, Nalini) {23 Oct 11}

4 Stars

Black Wings (Henry, Christina) {4 Jan 11}
Blood Spells (Andersen, Jessica) {20 Feb 11}
Whisper Kiss (Cooke, Deborah {28 Feb 11}
Paying the Virgin’s Price (Merrill, Christine) {12 Mar 11}
Kitty and the Midnight Hour (Vaughn, Carrie) {19 Mar 11}
A Taste of Magic (Madison, Tracy) {31 Mar 11}
Bound by Shadow (Windsor, Anna) {11 Apr 11}
Darkness Dawns (Duvall, Dianne) {17 Apr 11}
Visions of Magic (Hastings, Regan) {24 Apr 11}
Beyond the Night (Ware, Joss) {29 Apr 11}
Secret Society Girl (Peterfreund, Diana) {1 May 11}
Halfway to the Grave (Frost, Jeaniene) {9 May 11}
Just the Sexiest Man Alive (James, Julie) {2 Jun 11}
Master of None (Bateman, Sonya) {5 Jun 11}
Stormwalker (James, Allyson) {11 June 11}
Cold as Ice (Stuart, Anne) {4 Jul 11}
Sylvester (Heyer, Georgette) {10 Jul 11}
Kiss of Midnight (Adrian, Lara) {25 Jul 11}
Marked (Naughton, Elisabeth) {31 Jul 11}
Hostage to Pleasure (Singh, Nalini) {8 Aug 11}
Blood Bound (Briggs, Patricia) {13 Aug 11}
Heiress in Love (Brooke, Christina) {20 Aug 11}
A Regimental Murder (Gardner, Ashley) {27 Aug 11}
Kindling the Moon (Bennett, Jenn) {2 Sep 11}
Kiss of Crimson (Adrian, Lara) {8 Sep 11}
His Majesty’s Dragon (Novik, Naomi) {17 Sep 11}
Murder with Puffins (Andrews, Donna) {20 Sep 11}
Sins of the Angels (Poitevin, Linda) {30 Sep 11}
The Brain and the Beauty (Eliot, Betsy) {6 Oct 11}
Shadow Kin (Scott, M. J.) {8 Oct 11}
Flying Blind (Cooke, Deborah) {11 Oct 11}
Black Night (Henry, Christina) {29 Oct 11}

3 Stars

The Painted Lady (Metzger, Barbara) {10 Jan 11}
Not Without Her Family (Andrews, Beth) {24 Jan 11}
The Lord and Wayward Lady (Allen, Louise) {30 Jan 11}
Persecuted (Childs, Lisa) {27 Mar 11}
Hot Mama (Estep, Jennifer) {15 Apr 11}
Darkfire Kiss (Cooke, Deborah) {29 May 11}
Jedi Twilight (Reaves, Michael) {17 Jul 11}
Pride Mates (Ashley, Jennifer) {24 Aug 11}
Passions of a Wicked Earl (Heath, Lorraine) {24 Sep 11}
Viper Moon (Roland, Lee) {29 Sep 11}
Serpent’s Kiss (Harrison, Thea) {6 Nov 11}

Note: Due to the excessive amount of spam, I’ve added a password plugin. Please don’t let that discourage you from commenting.

Pride Mates (Jennifer Ashley)

Title: Pride Mates
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Copyright: 2010 (Leisure); 304 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-8439-6005-1
Reissued: 2011 (Berkley)
Series: Shifters Unbound #1
Sensuality: Hot
Genre: Paranormal Romance

From the Back: To most, they are animals — even in human form. They are to be collared and kept on the fringes of society, scorned because they are feared, hated for their extraordinary powers. And DA Kim Fraser has to go right into the heart of their lair. It’s her job to defend those in need. But there’s absolutely nothing defenseless about Liam Morrissey. His soft Irish lilt and feline grace can’t disguise his sheer strength. Nor can the silver chain at his throat, designed to control the aggression of his kind, completely reassure her that this man has been tamed. Yet when a feral shifter begins to stalk them both, Liam is the only one she trusts with her life.

~&~

1. Reason for choosing this book:
I chose this book because I’ve read and enjoyed books written under her Ashley Gardner (Captain Lacey Mysteries) and her Allyson James (Stormwalker) pen names.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:
I liked the premise of this series. The shifters in this book are out in the open and, because of this, are discriminated against, forced to live in specific areas. They can’t hold high-paying or important jobs, barred access to the latest in technology, and have almost no rights — probably can’t vote, but are still expected to pay taxes. They wear collars that zap them with a bolt of electricity if they become too aggressive, especially if they threaten a human.

I also liked many of the characters. Liam’s brother Sean, their nephew Connor, and their father Dylan. I also liked the Lupine shifters, Glory and Ellison.

There was a lot I liked about Kim. She’s compassionate and she believes that shifters should have equal rights under the law. It drives her crazy that she’s getting resistance from the shifter themselves. Kim’s also pretty gutsy, but not always smart about it. However, it does allow her to keep fear at bay in some tense moments.

I definitely loved Liam. He’s strong and alpha, but not aggressively so — he doesn’t have to do the “I’m alpha, obey me” routine. He loves his family fiercely and he’s funny.

Though this book didn’t completely wow me, I like the writer’s style and I do like the story. I will be reading the next book.

3. Reasons for recommending this book:
The premise. It will be interesting to see where the author takes this series.

Favorite Quote:
“What is this ‘top o’ the morning’ crap?”
“It’s how people expect the Irish to talk. That and ‘faith and begorra!’ I’ll throw those in later.”
– Kim, Liam

Started: 20 August 2011
Finished: 24 August 2011

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Hot Mama (Jennifer Estep)

Title: Hot Mama
Author: Jennifer Estep
Copyright: 2007 (Berkley); 356 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-425-22300-3
Series: Bigtime #2
Sensuality: Hot (ha!)
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Spoiler: If you haven’t read the first book, and planned to, then it might be a good idea to stop reading and turn back now! There’s no way to talk about this book without revealing the true identities of the superheros.

From the Back: By day, Fiona Fine is a successful couture designer, catering to the high-society players of Bigtime, New York. By night, she’s Fiera, a superstrong superhero who can create and manipulate fire with her bare hands. Fiera, along with the other members of the heroic Fearless Five, makes life miserable for the ubervillians who want to take over the city.

~&~

1. Reason for choosing this book:
I read and enjoyed the first book in this trilogy.  I’d been meaning to read the other two books in the series for awhile.  I picked this book because it fit the requirements for a reading challenge:  the main character is involved in fashion industry.  I also read it as part of a game of bookshelf bingo.  The remarks below are cross-posted from my comments about the book during the game, with some minor editing.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:
Hot Mama was written in first person.  I felt it worked better as an urban fantasy than a paranormal romance.  In fact, I would have rated higher had it been an UF.

What I liked:

Fiona’s dedication to her duty as she sees it:  protect the innocent and stop the uber-villains, preferably without killing them.  She doesn’t see herself as a vigilante, exacting her own justice as she sees fit.  If at all possible, villains are captured and turned over to the police.  Death sometimes happens — for instance, failing to heed warnings to flee when things about are about to explode, self-destruct, or backfire is an occupational hazard faced by both superheros and uber-villains.  Killing them for revenge is a no-no in Fiona’s book.

Fiona isn’t in it for the glamor or notoriety.  She would be the first to admit that being a superhero is a lot of hard work.  It’s dirty, rough, painful.  She may have super strength and be immune to flames, but she can still get hurt.  And as for notoriety, it’s no picnic having the press constantly in your face, prying, and asking inane questions.  She already puts up with it as a successful fashion designer.  However, Fiona also knows that fame has it’s uses, and she uses her popularity to further worthy causes important to her.

The Fearless Five is her family and she’d do anything for them.  Chief Newman is her father, but the rest of them are just as important to her.  Fiona may have gotten off on the wrong foot with Carmen, but she’s grown to accept her for Sam’s sake.  She’s even gotten to the point of confiding in Carmen, and see her as a friend and confidant.  The same goes for Lulu Lo  — Carmen’s hacker friend and Henry’s honey — to a lesser extant.

I also liked that the superhero aspect of the story was over-the-top and intentionally corny.  It was fun!

What didn’t work:

The romance.  I had no problem with Fiona’s issue regarding whether she was ready to move on after her fiancés death — I thought it was realistic to still have her doubts.  I also liked that she was willing to sacrifice her own chance at happiness if Johnny continued his vigilante ways.  The romance just felt flat to me.  I think it was a combination of the first person narrative and the quantity of Johnny’s page-time in the book.

I liked the first book, a lot of the second book (including Fiona), and the author’s writing style in general, so I plan to read the last book.

3. Reasons for recommending this book:
It’s fun and over-the-top.

Started: 12 April 2011
Finished: 15 April 2011

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

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Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

The Lord & the Wayward Lady (Louise Allen)

Title: The Lord and the Wayward Lady
Author: Louise Allen
Copyright: 2010 (Harlequin); 283 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-373-29596-8
Series: Harlequin Historical #996; Regency Silk & Scandal #1
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Historical Romance

The Lord and the Wayward Lady is the first book in a multi-authored, Regency series from Harlequin. Two of my favorite Harlequin Historical authors, Louise Allen and Christine Merrill, wrote books for this series. The over-arching plot deals with uncovering the truth behind the murder of a nobleman, and whether or not the man hanged for the crime was actually guilty — and who was the true murderer if he was innocent.

The long-buried scandal comes to forefront again when Nell Latham delivers a package meant for the Earl of Narborough. The earl was a friend to both the victim and the man who was accused. Since the murder took place in his garden, and he saw one friend standing over the body of the other, the earl’s testimony helped seal his fate. Even so, he has had to live with the possibility that he may have sent an innocent man to the gallows.

Nell had no idea what was in the package, nor did she know the identity of the earl. More precisely, she didn’t know the family name. Her mother had long taught her to hate the name of Carlow. Marcus Carlow, Viscount Stanegate, blames Nell for his father’s turn of health. He knows she’s hiding something, even if she’s as innocent as she claims to be. Nell can’t tell him the truth because he’ll never believe she was an unwitting pawn in the intrigue.

Comments:
A good start to the series. Ms. Allen sets the stage with Marcus and Nell. Because of the number of players and story lines this series will have, if you plan to it, it would be a good a idea to keep track of who’s who and how they’re related.

Though Ms. Allen is one of my favorite Harlequin Historical authors, I haven’t read one of her books since 2007. I’ve liked her heroines because she usually writes strong, rational females. Nell is no exception. She’s a survivor, in a sense. Both her parents are dead, the family disgraced and what money they had ran out. Nell has no idea what happened to her brother and sister — Nathan disappeared and they lost with Rosalind. Nell has to make her way as best she can. She has no illusions that she’ll have to work for a living for the rest of her life.

Marcus was a little frustrating. Wants her to trust him, but wont give her the same courtesy. Plus, he’s a bit of a bully at first– used to getting his own way and refused nothing. He gets along well with his younger siblings, cares deeply for his parents, and has a friendly relationship with his sisters’ companion, Diana Price — his ally when it comes to the management of Lady Honoria and Lady Verity. His declaration of love to Nell is reminiscent of Darcy’s initial confession to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice — and goes just as badly.

I want to comment on the series North American covers: I love what Harlequin has done with this mini-series. I really like how Nell’s yellow gown stands out against the purple background.

Start: 25 January 2011
Finished: 30 January 2011

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Not Without Her Family (Beth Andrews)

Title: Not Without Her Family
Author: Beth Andrews
Copyright: 2008 (Harlequin); 243 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-373-71496-4
Series: Super Romance #1496
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Jack Marin: Serenity Springs’ police chief. A fair and honorable man. Suspects that Dillon Ward may be the murderer, as the initial evidence suggests, but the feeling he’s missing something important makes him hesitant to make an arrest — in spite of the pressure to do so. An error in judgment nearly ruined his career and he’s not going to let that happen again. Jack’s also a widower with six-year-old daughter named Emma.

Kelsey Reagan: Dillon Ward’s younger half-sister. Arrives in Serenity Springs before the murder takes place. She’s there to reconnect with her brother. The pair of them had a rough childhood. With their mother having recently passed on, all they have is each other and Kelsey is tired of being alone. However, Dillon isn’t interested in reconnecting with Kelsey. Antagonizes Jack Martin within minutes of meeting him. Has no idea how to cope with the cute, and somewhat talkative, Emma.

Roadblocks to Romance: Besides the fact he’s the police chief, she’s the prime suspect’s sister? Kelsey keeps people at arm’s length and doesn’t let people get close enough to hurt her. She was a rebellious teenager, always getting into trouble with the law. Kelsey’s deeply held belief that her behavior eventually resulted in Dillon being sent to prison has affected her self-worth. She believes herself unworthy of someone as decent as Jack Martin. And to top it all off, Kelsey’s abusive step-father was a cop, so she has a hard time trusting them.

Comments: I had a hard time warming up to Kelsey. She was almost too prickly for me. Oddly enough, it was her uneasiness around Emma that help sooth the edges for me. She didn’t develop maternal feelings for Emma five seconds after meeting her. It takes time, and some of her internal commentary is funny. Speaking of the little chatterbox, I liked the fact that Emma was a well-adjusted, normal six-year-old. I also liked the fact the Jack’s doing just fine raising Emma by himself, regardless of his ability to make cookies. He’s not out looking for a mother for his daughter.

I enjoyed the story and I really was shocked to learn who the murderer was. I didn’t guess beforehand, which is always a plus. I have two more books by this author, Wade’s story and Allie’s story. Hopefully I’ll get to them this year.

Start: 16 January 2011
Finished: 24 January 2011

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

The Painted Lady (Barbara Metzger)

Title: The Painted Lady
Author: Barbara Metzger
Copyright: 2001 (Signet); 217 pgs.
ISBN: 0-451-20368-2
Series: NA
Sensuality: Kisses
Genre: Historical Romance

Him: Kennard Wyndgate Cartland — K.C, or Kasey, to a select few. He’s a talented painter. Very few people actually know that Kasey paints. He’s the Duke of Caswell, and dukes don’t paint. To avoid becoming the laughingstock of the Beau Monde, Kasey maintains a private residence in Town. For a man of his rank, that’s not an unusual thing. After all, the Duke of Caswell could hardly entertain his mistresses in the family home where his maiden aunts and younger brother live. But the house serves another purpose. Once Kasey sends his latest paramour home for the night — they never stay — he immediately heads for the attic studio to paint her portrait from memory. If it means he’s up all hours until he’s satisfied with his work, then so be it. Painting is his greatest love, and it’s very possible Kasey would have allowed things to continue on as they were, if it weren’t for the fact that his latest project spoke to him. Literally. The woman in the painting tells him that he has no passion outside his art. That he is heartless libertine, willing to take mistress after mistress without actually ever falling in love. That even the woman he’s considering making his duchess, someday or other, won’t hold his interest past the honeymoon. Kasey thinks he’s gone mad, and eventually leaves London, seeking a cure.

Her: Lilyanne Bannister is a gentleman’s daughter. Had she and her younger sister Lisbet not been orphaned, Lilyanne would have been enjoying many of the pursuits of her class: parties, dances, a London season. Instead, she works for her uncle Sir Osgood Bannister, a physician. Sir Osgood, unfortunately, isn’t the type of physician one goes to when one has a cold or needs a broken bone set. He’s more interested in the mind and believes he can cure mental illness by a strict routine of fresh air, healthy diet, and quiet reflection. There is no excitement, color, or liveliness in the house. She hates it, and stays only because Sir Osgood pays for Lisbet’s education, something her sister will need in order to find a suitable position as a governess or lady’s companion. Once Lisabet’s future is secure, Lilyanne has every intention of seeking employment elsewhere. Marriage, she feels, is no longer an option for her.

What I liked: I liked both Kasey and Lilyanne. Kasey doesn’t have a dark past, nor has he been betrayed by a lover who’s action has set him against all other females. His mistresses have been the muses for his painting. He hasn’t found a woman that was both suitable to be his duchess and accepting of his art. Lilyanne sees his work and believes, duke or not, that Kasey ought to put his paintings on display, even if it’s just in a private areas of his home.

What I didn’t like:  The way the talking painting was depicted.  Not that I didn’t like the slight fantastical element to the story — I had no problem with suspending my belief.  She wasn’t depicted like one of the moving pictures from Harry Potter, which helped.  It was the characterization.  She sounded too modern and she used a lot of alliteration — “jug-bitten jackanapes”, “mutton-headed Michelangelo”, etc.  She used it so much, I thought it was jarring.  Fortunately, the scenes aren’t long and there aren’t many.

Final Thoughts: Though this isn’t my favorite Metzger, I still enjoyed the story. It had it’s cute moments and some fun characters. There’s a bit of a mystery, requiring Kasey to deal with a practical Bow Street Runner. I would recommend it to others who enjoy the category historicals and don’t mind a bit of fantasy in them. As they say, your mileage may vary when it comes to the characterization of the painting.

Start: 5 January 2011
Finished: 10 January 2011

Favorite Quote:
“Your Grace, there are dresses in my room.”
“Yes, that’s where they’ll be most convenient. I could have them moved to the butler’s pantry, but I doubt old Henesley will appreciate them.”
— Lilyanne, Kasey

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Three Bags Full (Leonie Swann)

Title: Three Bags Full
Author: Leonie Swann
Copyright: 2005 (Flying Dolphin Press); 341 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-7679-2705-5
Series: N/A
Sensuality: N/A
Genre: Mystery, General Fiction

From the Back: On a hillside near the cozy Irish village of Glennikll, the members of the flock gather around their shepherd, George, whose body lies pinned to the ground with a spade. George has cared for the sheep, reading them a plethora of books every night. The daily exposure to literature has made them far savvier about the workings of the human mind than your average sheep. Led by Miss Maple, the smartest sheep in Glennkill (and possibly the world), they set out to find George’s killer.

~~ & ~~

1. Reason for choosing this book:
I liked the idea of sheep solving a mystery.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I thought the author did an amazing job of presenting what our world might look like to a flock of intelligent sheep. Even so, there were times while reading it, I remember being sometimes confused by what was really supposed to be going on — as opposed to what the sheep thought was happening, and a little frustrated when the sheep got sidetracked by something that may or may not have been important to the mystery (I’ve forgotten how much turned out to be relevant to the mystery). Re-reading the part where the sheep “explain” what happen to George to the villagers reminded me how clever the book was.

The cover of the book has 19 sheep, numbered, on it. The “dramatis oves” inside identifies which sheep is which. There is also a flip-drawing of a little sheep, that hops up and down when you fast-flip the pages.

3. Reasons for recommending this book.
Clever idea and, for the most part, cleverly executed.

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Started: 24 October 2009
Finished: 28 October 2009

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews

Title: Bayou Moon
Author: Ilona Andrews
Copyright: 2010 (Ace); 447 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-441-01945-8
Series: The Edge #2
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance

After helping Declan and Rose defeat Casshorn, William Wolf, a.k.a. Lord William Sandine, has spent the last two years working in the Broken (the real world) and living in The Edge.. Though he has his freedom to come and go as he pleases, William is lonely. Hearing from Jack and George, Rose’s younger brothers, only re-enforces the fact. So when the Adrianglian secret service comes to him with a mission to take down an old enemy, known as Spider, William jumps at the chance.

Cerise Mar is a native of the Mire, a swampy part of the Edge that borders Louisiana. The sprawling Mars family has been feuding with another clan — the Sheeriles — for decades. With the sudden disappearance of her parents, Cerise is left in charge of the Mars clan. It’s her duty to find out what happen to her parents, and take action against the responsible parties. Cerise is strong and capable. She’s an excellent swords woman and can use her flash in conjunction with her weapon. She’s smart and resourceful, too. But as strong and capable as she is, Cerise also feels lonely. Influenced no doubt by the examples of her loving parents and grandparents, Cerise would like to find someone she could love and who would love her in return, despite her eccentric family and their Mire ways.

Cerise and William’s paths cross while traveling between the Broken and the Edge. Cerise thinks that William is a Weird blue blood and believes he doesn’t stand a chance in the Mire. When things go wrong on the trip, they end up having to cooperate with each other, and each learns there is more to the other than each initially thought. A mutual appreciation for each others’ skills and abilities develops and, from there, a deeper attraction grows. Their timing couldn’t be worse for exploring a relationship. As much as William wants her, he doubts whether Cerise would want to be his mate. It doesn’t help that she might misconstrue his motives — Spider has taken an interest in her and her family and William doesn’t want her to think he’s using her to get to Spider. As for Cerise, she’s been burned before, and carrying the burden of responsibility for the Mars clan isn’t making things easier.

Comments:  As much as I loved the other books written by this couple, I struggled with this one. “Struggled” may not be the right word. I went days without reading it, and then I would only read a few pages before putting it down again. It isn’t the characters. I actually loved both Cerise and William better than Rose and Declan, and my favorite parts of the book are scenes with just the two of them. Cerise’s family was interesting and I liked several of them. I thought Spider with a great antagonist and I wish there had been more of him in the book — in some cases, spending too much time with the villain is a bad thing, but I don’t think this would have been the case with Spider. Oh, and I absolutely loved the courtroom scene.

Ilona is a great story teller. Even when she’s just relating something funny about her family, the pets, or life in general on her blog, I enjoy her writing. It’s been a real head-scratcher trying to figure out why this one didn’t hold me like the rest (the only reason my thoughts on Magic Bleeds hasn’t been written up yet is that I have a very bad habit of either going off on tangents or reading the book, not writing anything coherent). I did have a hard time picturing what Spider’s henchmen looked like, so in my mind’s eye, William and Cerise were usually being attacked by vague-looking things — not the least bit scary or threatening. I’m sure that’s just me, though, because that will happen with other books that I love (still not sure if I’m imagining the warrior form correctly when I read the Kate Daniels series).

So, in the end, there were many little things I truly loved about the book, but I can’t really articulate what wasn’t working for me. I plan on reading the next book in the series.

Started: ??
Finished: 31 October 2010

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Darth Bane: Rule of Two

Title: Darth Bane: Rule of Two
Author: Drew Karpyshyn
Copyright: 2008 (Del Rey); 320 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-345-47749-1
Series: Star Wars Expanded Universe
Sensuality: None
Genre: Science Fiction
ERA: Sith/Republic – 1,020 years before the Battle of Yavin (Star Wars: A New Hope)

Spoilers for Darth Bane: Path of Destruction

Rule of Two picks up where Path of Destruction left off. The Brotherhood of Darkness is no more, completely destroyed by a thought bomb. The Army of Light has suffered huge losses, including its general, Jedi Master Lord Hoth. They are under the impression that no Sith survived. However, there is a lone survivor, Darth Bane, and he wants the Jedi to keep believing the Sith are extinct.

The book started off slow for me. Bane and Zannah, his newly acquired apprentice, spend much of the first nine chapters still on Ruusan, or trying to get off it. To be fair, the author had to set both Johun Othone — Hoth’s former padawan — and Tomcat — Rain’s cousin — on their respective paths before the main story could move forward. Johun is convinced that at least one Sith survived. He wants to pursue this, but the new leader of the Jedi — Jedi Master Farfalla — finds no credible evidence to suggest there were survivors. Instead, he gives Johun a different mission. As for Tomcat, having failed both as a Jedi and a Sith, he has no idea what to do with himself. He survives a run-in with Zannah and Bane and is left to make his own way on Ruusan. Both young men will encounter the Sith years later, with tragic results.

The story jumps ahead ten years. Bane has Zannah carrying out missions while he works on creating a Sith Holocron. On his orders, Zannah infiltrates separatist groups and convince them to strike out against the Republic before they are ready, thereby ensuring that they fail, but still draw the attention of the Senate and the Jedi. Zannah’s current mission is on Serenno, a planet known for its radical separatist groups. Though she carries out her tasks, Zannah questions the logic behind them. Bane has assured her that the time isn’t right:

“The Republic keeps the Jedi in check. It maintains control and imposes order across thousands of worlds. But if the Republic falls, a score of new interstellar governments and galactic organizations will rise. It is far easier to manipulate and control a single enemy than twenty.

That is why we must seek out radical separatist groups, identify the ones that have the potential to become true threats, then encourage them to strike before they are ready. We must exploit them, playing them off against the Republic. We must let our enemies weaken one another while we stay hidden and grow strong.

“One day the Republic will fall and the Jedi will be wiped out,” he assured her. “But it will not happen until we are ready to seize that power for ourselves.”

Even so, Zannah is still concerned. Ten years ago, when Bane first set out to learn the mysteries of the Sith Holocron, he became infested with a parasite. The orbalisk, as they are called, seemed to be a boon initially, giving Bane enhanced healing abilities and strength, and a body armor that blocks even lightsabers. But Zannah feels that the long exposure to them is taking its toll on Bane’s judgment. He’s failed several times to create a Holocron and he’s gone into destructive rages. Bane has much yet to teach her, and if dies before she’s reach her full potential, the Sith may truly be lost. Eventually, Bane agrees with her and Zannah’s new mission is to find a way to remove the parasites without killing the host.

I really enjoyed the story once it made the ten-year jump; it really pick up for me. Zannah is smart, but not overconfident as her future “descendants” (Maul, Dooku, Anakin). In fact, it was kind of refreshing to read about a Sith apprentice that knows she has a lot to learn, isn’t arrogant to the point of stupidity, and is patient. She can think on her feet — a couple of times she finds herself in less-than-ideal situations that she has to turn to her advantage and hope that Bane doesn’t think she’s betraying him. Her final dealings with her cousin are chilling. Even so, I actually liked her — but not as much as I liked Bane in the first book.

Started: 25 March 2010
Finished: 10 April 2010

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride

Title: Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride
Author: Lynna Banning
Copyright: 2008 (Harlequin); 271 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-373-29514-2
Series: Harlequin Historical #914
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Historical Romance — Medieval

The Lady: Leonor de Balenguer y Hassam of Granada. The 27 year-old daughter of the vizier has dreams of becoming a female troubadour, traveling France, singing, and playing her harp. Though well-educated, Leonor knows nothing of the world outside the emir’s court and her father’s house. She has managed to remain unmarried this long because she refuses to marry a man she cannot love.

The Knight: Reynaud. The Templar knight is all too familiar with the realities of the world. A bastard, he was raised by Hassam’s brother in Granada, making him the best candidate to carry a secret message from the Templar Grand Master to the emir’s adviser. Hassam will deliver his message to the emir, if Reynaud promises to escort Leonor to family in Moyanne.

Their history: Leonor hasn’t seen Reynaud in twenty years, since he left to seek his way in the world. She is surprised to see him, having feared that he had died in the Holy Land. Leonor has adored Reynaud since they were children, but the man she sees now is almost a stranger to her: stern and joyless. For his part, Reynaud remembers the clever, impossible girl — but it’s the woman that will haunt him the rest of his life.

Unrequited: Reynaud is a Templar, a warrior monk. He’s made a vow of celibacy. The knighthood is the only thing he knows, and being a bastard means he has nothing to offer Leonor anyway. And if that wasn’t enough, he is still on a dangerous mission for his Grand Master, and he may die. As for Leonor, she is confused at first by his standoffish and stern behavior. She thinks that he does not like her very much, but it doesn’t take long for her to learn the truth of his feelings. Though it breaks her heart, she acknowledges the fact she loves a man who can never return that love.

What I liked about it: I liked that, though Reynaud falls in love at first sight, it takes Leonor a little longer to realize her true feelings. And once they are known, both exercise restraint. Both accept the fact that they can never be together unless Reynaud is willing to break his vows or leave the Order forever. Though Leonor is naive in some ways, she’s not stupid and doesn’t blunder foolishly about. Reynaud does walk away from the Templars only after he is ordered to do something that he cannot do in good conscience — and getting to marry Leonor is just an added bonus. The author has notes, both in the beginning and at the end of the book, about the warrior monks and troubadours that were interesting.

What I didn’t like: Medievals aren’t my preferred era, but nothing stood out as a turn-off.

Recommended to: Fans of medieval romances, looking for a short read.

Started: 27 January 2010
Finished: 24 February 2010
(I was house hunting in February — some days, only could squeeze in half a page.)

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.