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mellhay's review
4.0
I never thought I'd fall in love with an Orc. It's happened! And all on an adventure of magic and clockwork creations with danger on out tails.
***** Full Review *****
Vervain stops dancing Golems from attacking students with her magic on her way to her class, to then be summoned to the Chancellor's study. Vervain sees Orcs there, and learns the Divination Department has foreseen there's a threat to the University's Masters. Bodyguards have been assigned since magic safeguards are already in place with the war between their country and Benevalia. Vervain is picked as on of the Masters to be protected for her work with magic and her projects, she is very important. Vervain is not happy with an Orc bodyguard, or any bodyguard at that, but an Orc... A week later Riyu, her Orc bodyguard, is called away for a commotion at the wall, when golems of clockwork, wires, and human eyes sent by Brighthand attack the classrooms, killing students and coming for her. Vervain fights back, then saved by Riyu. When she wakes from her injuries, Vervain learns of the deaths and that her partner in the project of a calculating golem, Malachite is missing and his Orc dead. When the Princes chief Military Advisor thinks he shouldn't go after Malachite; not knowing where he is, if alive, and with limited resources with protecting the school, Vervain decides to strike out and search on her own.
Vervain ends up with quite a mixed group to venture with; a fellow teacher who absentminded of consequent and willingly created the dangerous dancing golems for the Dance and Social Arts department - Tourmaline, a noble-woman student who could be so much more if she applies herself - Amethyst, Vervain's journeyman and talented with magic - Hawthorn, a cadet - Cardamom, and of course her Orc bodyguard sworn to protect her - Riyu, and one other Orc - Kiki. All under the pretense of a noblewoman going to meet her bridegroom.
OH MY! I never thought I'd say I'd fallen in love with an Orc. AN ORC, of all creatures! It's happened! And all on an adventure full of magic and clockwork creations with danger on their tails. Just you wait until you meet Riyu. I just kept picturing an Orc, and thinking hard, but the way he's written I kept pushing the Orc image aside.
Vervain is a strong women who stands alone and on her own. Her students have some choice phrases about her, and consider her mean, but she doesn't put up with lazy students and dumb actions. She wants them all to be better and smarter. Even though many may not think it with her bluntness, she is a kind woman wanting better for all. Even for her Orc bodyguard, whom she learns much of what she "knows" of Orcs is really rumors and not true. Vervain finds she grows fond of the Orc who's completely opposite the human beliefs of dumb, brutish and clumsy. Vervain is a brilliant teacher and character, one I do hope to read of again.
I'll mention this as the first sentence is listed above... I have to say, I thought I wasn't understanding the first sentence clearly, but a page in and I learned I read it exactly right. She was attacked by the Dancing and Social Arts, unintentionally but it happened.
I enjoyed the writing of this story, along with the creation of the world. We have a fantasy feel with magic and ruins used with spoken words to create magic spells, and Orcs. But we also had mechanical and clockwork creatures; evil golems, runners made of pistons and metal in various animal shapes to relay messages, firefly golems, boats of clockwork oars and powered by hear, and an airship!
This was one adventure I enjoyed the whole way through. I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this world and adventure. The University has many departments, even though we hear of others we focus only one, the magic department, yet giving a bigger feel to the world around us. When Vervain and crew leave for their rescue mission, we find we are attacked a few times by the "clickers" (evil golems named so for the noise they make). On this mission we have many discoveries, and learn of each character more, and the countries around the world here. I was impressed with the tale of each character coming to light as the story moved on with ease. And possibly a grow of a relationship somewhere in here as well.
Not everything is all peaches and cream with the adventure, and I like that. I want the characters to fight for it, and these ones more than do. Wonderful adventure!
This is one world and set of characters I hope the author shares with use in the future again. I was drawn into the world and want to see more of them.
***** Full Review *****
Vervain stops dancing Golems from attacking students with her magic on her way to her class, to then be summoned to the Chancellor's study. Vervain sees Orcs there, and learns the Divination Department has foreseen there's a threat to the University's Masters. Bodyguards have been assigned since magic safeguards are already in place with the war between their country and Benevalia. Vervain is picked as on of the Masters to be protected for her work with magic and her projects, she is very important. Vervain is not happy with an Orc bodyguard, or any bodyguard at that, but an Orc... A week later Riyu, her Orc bodyguard, is called away for a commotion at the wall, when golems of clockwork, wires, and human eyes sent by Brighthand attack the classrooms, killing students and coming for her. Vervain fights back, then saved by Riyu. When she wakes from her injuries, Vervain learns of the deaths and that her partner in the project of a calculating golem, Malachite is missing and his Orc dead. When the Princes chief Military Advisor thinks he shouldn't go after Malachite; not knowing where he is, if alive, and with limited resources with protecting the school, Vervain decides to strike out and search on her own.
Vervain ends up with quite a mixed group to venture with; a fellow teacher who absentminded of consequent and willingly created the dangerous dancing golems for the Dance and Social Arts department - Tourmaline, a noble-woman student who could be so much more if she applies herself - Amethyst, Vervain's journeyman and talented with magic - Hawthorn, a cadet - Cardamom, and of course her Orc bodyguard sworn to protect her - Riyu, and one other Orc - Kiki. All under the pretense of a noblewoman going to meet her bridegroom.
OH MY! I never thought I'd say I'd fallen in love with an Orc. AN ORC, of all creatures! It's happened! And all on an adventure full of magic and clockwork creations with danger on their tails. Just you wait until you meet Riyu. I just kept picturing an Orc, and thinking hard, but the way he's written I kept pushing the Orc image aside.
Vervain is a strong women who stands alone and on her own. Her students have some choice phrases about her, and consider her mean, but she doesn't put up with lazy students and dumb actions. She wants them all to be better and smarter. Even though many may not think it with her bluntness, she is a kind woman wanting better for all. Even for her Orc bodyguard, whom she learns much of what she "knows" of Orcs is really rumors and not true. Vervain finds she grows fond of the Orc who's completely opposite the human beliefs of dumb, brutish and clumsy. Vervain is a brilliant teacher and character, one I do hope to read of again.
I'll mention this as the first sentence is listed above... I have to say, I thought I wasn't understanding the first sentence clearly, but a page in and I learned I read it exactly right. She was attacked by the Dancing and Social Arts, unintentionally but it happened.
I enjoyed the writing of this story, along with the creation of the world. We have a fantasy feel with magic and ruins used with spoken words to create magic spells, and Orcs. But we also had mechanical and clockwork creatures; evil golems, runners made of pistons and metal in various animal shapes to relay messages, firefly golems, boats of clockwork oars and powered by hear, and an airship!
This was one adventure I enjoyed the whole way through. I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this world and adventure. The University has many departments, even though we hear of others we focus only one, the magic department, yet giving a bigger feel to the world around us. When Vervain and crew leave for their rescue mission, we find we are attacked a few times by the "clickers" (evil golems named so for the noise they make). On this mission we have many discoveries, and learn of each character more, and the countries around the world here. I was impressed with the tale of each character coming to light as the story moved on with ease. And possibly a grow of a relationship somewhere in here as well.
Not everything is all peaches and cream with the adventure, and I like that. I want the characters to fight for it, and these ones more than do. Wonderful adventure!
This is one world and set of characters I hope the author shares with use in the future again. I was drawn into the world and want to see more of them.
especbooks's review
5.0
Absolutely wonderful! This is the best thing I have read by this author, which is saying a lot since I've enjoyed all of her books. Very original and well written. I truly hope she writes more in this universe.
see_sadie_read's review
5.0
This is the first book by Elaine Corvidae that I have ever read. I am definitely a new fan. I loved, loved, loved this story. It’s not often that I all out rave about a book, but this one deserves all of the praise I can lavish on it. Vervain was a sharp tonged professor of the Magical sciences with a razor wit and a scathing attitude. I loved her. She let off some zingers that kept me laughing. She reminds me of what I imagine Minerva McGonagall would be like if she never got flustered and got frustrated enough to speak her mind. Vervain had that same kind of dedicated academic spinster feel to her. But she never held back, not in her words, deeds, or feelings. She spoke her mind, did what she felt was right, and followed her heart at all costs. How could I not love her?
Then there was Riyu…SWOON! I never would have expected myself to fall in love with an orc, but I just couldn’t help it. He was marvellous, calm, loyal, dedicated, built (if a little green and tusky), gentle and soft-spoken, despite his capacity for violence and accepting of his situation. My heart broke for him a little when he related himself to the male in the tale of the Storm Witch. The interaction between him and Vervain was priceless. Corvidae really managed to provide a lot of information about his mood or true feelings through subtle hints such as the position of his ears and such. It made him feel very expressive, even if he didn’t actually say much.
There were a few areas that I would have like explored a bit more. What happened to Cardamom or was there an significance to the earrings Riyu wore, for example? It makes me wish for a continuation of the story. But really I’m thrilled that it is a stand alone book. Everything I read lately seems to be part of a series. It is refreshing to finish a book and story at the same page. I will DEFINITELY be checking out more books by this author.
Then there was Riyu…SWOON! I never would have expected myself to fall in love with an orc, but I just couldn’t help it. He was marvellous, calm, loyal, dedicated, built (if a little green and tusky), gentle and soft-spoken, despite his capacity for violence and accepting of his situation. My heart broke for him a little when he related himself to the male in the tale of the Storm Witch. The interaction between him and Vervain was priceless. Corvidae really managed to provide a lot of information about his mood or true feelings through subtle hints such as the position of his ears and such. It made him feel very expressive, even if he didn’t actually say much.
There were a few areas that I would have like explored a bit more. What happened to Cardamom or was there an significance to the earrings Riyu wore, for example? It makes me wish for a continuation of the story. But really I’m thrilled that it is a stand alone book. Everything I read lately seems to be part of a series. It is refreshing to finish a book and story at the same page. I will DEFINITELY be checking out more books by this author.
bardlet31's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fantastic adventure with an atypical protagonist (an older woman!) who gets to have a Beauty and the Beast style romance with a nice orc! Loved that Vervain is almost 50 and a very competent person who has earned her status. The romance was believable and just the right amount of cute.
The story was fun and had some really cool moments.
All in all, a fun book with good romance and wonderful characters. What more do you want?
The story was fun and had some really cool moments.
All in all, a fun book with good romance and wonderful characters. What more do you want?
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