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melindavan's review
4.0
I have taken part in a lot of Holy Lisle's classes and seminars, and found them so helpful as a writer that I thought it was about time to read one of her novels. You know, to see if the teacher can...well, do. And can she ever! I really enjoyed this book. The characters were fully formed people I'm pretty sure I will run into in the store later today. The setting was awesome. I found the entire premise, that there are layers of worlds up and down and that some can cross over, to be fascinating. I won't ever look at a mirror the same way again! The plot had me guessing from beginning to end, in a good way. I don't want to leave a spoiler here, so I'll just say it's always the little things that come back and bite you in the arse! Loved that, loved the world of Oria. That the layers of worlds is an explanation for all our mythological gods is awesome.
In short, this is a really fun fantasy read, full of mystery and suspense, and a few life lessons. If you like fantasy mixed with your reality, you'll like this. And if you are an aspiring writer, give her clinics and online classes a try. You'll be glad you did!
In short, this is a really fun fantasy read, full of mystery and suspense, and a few life lessons. If you like fantasy mixed with your reality, you'll like this. And if you are an aspiring writer, give her clinics and online classes a try. You'll be glad you did!
bookishwendy's review
1.0
I'm convinced I was sold on this book because of the galloping horse and rider on the cover. I'd heard of Holly Lisle and wanted to try one of her books. Perhaps I shouldn't have started with this one. One of my problems is that I try to convince myself that I enjoy the fantasy/sci fi genre, but lately I've felt disappointed with everything in that genre--short of LOTR, Dune and Ender's Game--that I've picked up.
The story concept had promise. Molly, a young woman in Cat Creek, NC is kidnapped from her bed into another world where she discovers she has magical healing powers. Lauren, another woman from her same town, discovers she can create bridges between worlds. What neither of them realize is that the use of magic is having dire effects on Earth (interesting idea!) The plot gets wrapped around the Cat Creek Sentinels--seemingly "average" citizens who guard the magical portals--as they track the source of a mysterious flu that threatens to wipe out the world. If only I could have distinguished between the 8+ different Sentinels, then perhaps later revelations about them would have been more dramatic. Perhaps if the "bad guys" had actually been fleshed out with motivations/characteristics/physical descriptions--anything!--I would have cared more. In fact, besides Lauren, Molly, and June Bug, i really didn't care about anyone else. In the other world Oria the leader of a humanoid race of elf-like people (that's my best guess, anyway) develops a very bland and unwarrented romance with one of the humans, but the relationship seemed so flimsy that I could only laugh when I read about it.
I also disliked the style. None of the dialogue sounds less like actual people talking than characters on an after school special. Characters are constantly explaining "duh" things in far more words than a normal person would. Description is mundane and forced. Don't bother unless you love the fantasy genre.
The story concept had promise. Molly, a young woman in Cat Creek, NC is kidnapped from her bed into another world where she discovers she has magical healing powers. Lauren, another woman from her same town, discovers she can create bridges between worlds. What neither of them realize is that the use of magic is having dire effects on Earth (interesting idea!) The plot gets wrapped around the Cat Creek Sentinels--seemingly "average" citizens who guard the magical portals--as they track the source of a mysterious flu that threatens to wipe out the world. If only I could have distinguished between the 8+ different Sentinels, then perhaps later revelations about them would have been more dramatic. Perhaps if the "bad guys" had actually been fleshed out with motivations/characteristics/physical descriptions--anything!--I would have cared more. In fact, besides Lauren, Molly, and June Bug, i really didn't care about anyone else. In the other world Oria the leader of a humanoid race of elf-like people (that's my best guess, anyway) develops a very bland and unwarrented romance with one of the humans, but the relationship seemed so flimsy that I could only laugh when I read about it.
I also disliked the style. None of the dialogue sounds less like actual people talking than characters on an after school special. Characters are constantly explaining "duh" things in far more words than a normal person would. Description is mundane and forced. Don't bother unless you love the fantasy genre.
el_entrenador_loco's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
weremallard's review
3.0
I love Holly Lisle, and I wanted to love this book. However, I honestly just didn't connect with Lauren at all. I know she's went through incredibly hard times, but it's hard to feel sorry for someone who acts as selfishly as she acted throughout the book. Being perfectly content to put her needs first and not even truly caring that she murdered her sister- instead of even attempting to listen to her, because why would she?- after forcing everyone else to not do just that- again, not listening- did not really endear her to me either. I also never made up my mind about Erik. I am, however, a huge fan of Jake, and I liked Molly, although again she never seemed to question whether her healing would have consequences when she learned that magic did. I'll probably read the next book, but not immediately.
kaisermatthias's review
3.0
A great premise with solid world-building and largely relatable characters. I'll likely read more.
Rated down because I'm terribly confused why a character who knows that Godd are just regular people from an Upworld would still be carrying Christian guilt about being a lesbian.
Also, Molly's military training and refusal yo give in to Stockholm Syndrome lasted....3 weeks and then she fell deeply in love with a guy with zero real knowledge of him beyond a surface story or three?
Rated down because I'm terribly confused why a character who knows that Godd are just regular people from an Upworld would still be carrying Christian guilt about being a lesbian.
Also, Molly's military training and refusal yo give in to Stockholm Syndrome lasted....3 weeks and then she fell deeply in love with a guy with zero real knowledge of him beyond a surface story or three?
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