Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Raven's Ladder and Lady Carliss Book Tours!

I have done so much reading these past few weeks and I'm loving every single second of it.

The wonderful folks over at Waterbrook Multnomah have provided amazing books for review. So here I am with two more great books for your reading pleasure.

Raven's Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet

Format: Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9781400074679
Categories: Fiction - Fantasy - General
Publisher: Waterbrook Press

About This Book:

A DEADLY MENACE IS BREAKING THROUGH THE GROUND. THE PEOPLE OF ABASCAR MUST ABANDON THEIR STONE REFUGE AND FLEE INTO VULNERABILITY IN THE FOREST. BUT THEIR KING HAS HAD A VISION…

Following the beacon of Auralia’s colors and the footsteps of a mysterious dream-creature, King Cal-raven has discovered a destination for his weary crowd of refugees. It’s a city only imagined in legendary tales. And it gives him hope to establish New Abascar.

But when Cal-raven is waylaid by fortune hunters, his people become vulnerable to a danger more powerful than the prowling beastmen––House Bel Amica. In this oceanside kingdom of wealth, enchantment, and beauty, deceitful Seers are all too eager to ensnare House Abascar’s wandering throng.

Even worse, the Bel Amicans have discovered Auralia’s colors, and are twisting a language of faith into a lie of corruption and control.

If there is any hope for the people of Abascar, it lies in the courage of Cyndere, daughter of Bel Amica’s queen; the strength of Jordam the beastman; and the fiery gifts of the ale boy, who is devising a rescue for prisoners of the savage Cent Regus beastmen.

As his faith suffers one devastating blow after another, Cal-raven’s journey is a perilous climb from despair to a faint gleam of hope––the vision he sees in Auralia’s colors.


My thoughts:

I should have read the first two books. Raven's Ladder is book three of the Four Book Series called Auralia's Thread so I was a bit lost when I first started reading and Jeffrey Overstreet has a way of writing that kind of confuses you at first. I felt like it was all over the place in the first few pages and I found myself confused as to who was speaking and what it was about, I actually found myself desperately trying to understand what any of it meant.

I thought about putting it down, but decided to hang in there and boy am I glad I did. I truly enjoyed the book but I do suggest trying to read them in order if you can.

The story is riveting, the plot thick with twists and turns and adventure, and though some parts are a little gory, I still found it thought provoking and addictive. I loved the main character, I loved the supporting characters and I love the way the author made me feel like I was right there, smelling every scent, seeing every mountain and tree on their journey.

Big thumbs up to Jeffrey Overstreet!

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Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue

Category: Fiction - Religious; Juvenile Fiction - Historical - Medieval
Publisher: Multnomah Books
ISBN: 978-1-60142-258-3 (1-60142-258-X)

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Lady Carliss faces the challenge of her life. Can she save the kingdom before it’s too late?

Determined, smart and a master of both the sword and the bow, Lady Carliss has proven herself as a veteran Knight of the Prince. Returning from a mission of aid, Carliss is plunged into adventure once again as she searches for the marauders responsible for kidnapping a friends’ family. Along the way she is reunited with Sir Dalton and discovers that the struggle in her heart is far from over. When Dalton falls to the vicious attack of a mysterious, poisonous creature, Carliss finds herself in a race against time. As Dalton clings perilously to life, she must find the antidote in the distant and strange city of Moorue.

While there, Carliss uncovers the master plot of a powerful Shadow Warrior that will soon overtake the entire Kingdom. Her faith in the Prince and her courage as a knight are tested as she faces evil Shadow Warriors and a swamp full of dreadful creatures. The lives of many, including Dalton’s, depend on Carliss. But she cannot save them all, for time is running out. She faces an impossible choice: save Dalton, or let him die so that others may live.

My thoughts:

I loved this book from beginning to end. It was very light and very much a young adult novel, but it didn't stop me from enjoying it, matter of fact, I found it hard to put down.

Lady Carliss is the main character, a Knight of the Prince and highly skilled in combat. But she's also a woman in love with a man she thinks she can't have, a man she thinks belongs to another but little does she know he feels the same way about her.

The book is set in Medieval times which is always a plus for me but what drew me in was the way the author Chuck Black brought to life Biblical Truths in such a fascinating way that I don't know how any young adult could not enjoy it.

Now keeping in mind this is book 4 from the series The Knights of Arrethtrae, but it is also a perfect stand alone book, I didn't feel like I was missing anything or lost as to who was who. I do want to read the other books now, if they're anywhere as good as this one, then I know I'm in for a treat.

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So there you go, two wonderful books if you're looking for a good fantasy fiction to add to your reading list.



These books were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

2 comments:

Heart2Heart said...

Sandra,

Loved both of these books and the Lady Carliss book was my favorite of the two. I read it in a couple of hours.

Great review!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Renee said...

Great review! I agree with Kat - Lady Carliss was my favorite book of the two but both were good.