Only one book this week, and it was enjoyable. I have been struggling to concentrate for long enough to sink into a book, so have been watching rather a lot of TV instead.
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
The book I did finish was the third volume in the exciting An Ember in the Ashes series: A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir. Here is the blurb:
Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.
The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister’s life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.
Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight.
And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias’s devotion–even at the cost of his humanity.
And this was the review that I posted on Goodreads:
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have really loved this series so far, but I must admit that I was a little disappointed with this episode. Quite a lot of the book was taken up with the main characters’ wanderings from place to place with no real coherence to the whole plot. I also felt the kind of mid-series malaise where everything that could go wrong does go wrong. Mishaps are piled upon mistakes are piled upon disasters, with absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel.
Yes, some parts of the book are very exciting and well-written – especially in the last third. But quite a few sections almost dragged. I didn’t feel uplifted by the book, or any sense of optimism that things might turn out OK in the end.
So, I have to hope that, like most fantasy series, everything (or almost everything, I suppose some well-beloved characters may still be killed off) will turn out right in the end. Well, I hope that happens in book four, or I might just give up on this series, which would be a real shame!
I am waiting in a queue for the final book, so will have to choose something else for my next read. The Library’s ebook catalogue is getting better and better and I am fortunate to have a lot of really fine books in my “to read” queue. But which one will be next?
Happy Reading to you all!
Love and best wishes,
Anne
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The Librain
The Librain......retired 