Hiya guys, today we have Lou Hoffmann popping in with her new release Key of Behliseth, Lou chats about finding the right balance for all ages in YA books and there is a fantastic excerpt and giveaway. So guys I will leave you in Lou’s more than capable hands, just enjoy my review and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Key of Behliseth
(The Sun Child 01)
by
Lou Hoffmann
On his way to meet a fate he’d rather avoid, homeless gay teen Lucky steps through a wizard’s door and is caught up in a whirlwind quest and an ancient war. He tries to convince himself that his involvement with sword fights, magic, and interworld travel is a fluke, and that ice-breathing dragons and fire-breathing eagles don’t really exist. But with each passing hour, he remembers more about who he is and where he’s from, and with help, he begins to claim his power.
Lucky might someday rule a nation, but before he can do that, he must remember his true name, accept his destiny, and master his extraordinary abilities. Only then can he help to banish the evil that has invaded earth and find his way home—through a gateway to another world.
Hey guys, we have Lou Hoffmann with the exciting cover reveal of Key of Behliseth, and boy is that cover tempting… I mean just look at it! It has a dragon, men in black hooded cloaks and a watch thingamajig *squeel* hell I can’t wait for this brand new fantasy adventure to begin! *cough* We also have a fantastic giveaway (which I haven’t been able to rig so I win) so you also have a chance to win this beauty when it’s released *sulk* so guys feast on this beautiful cover then click that Rafflecopter link *grumble* and good luck (not) <3 ~Pixie~
Key of Behliseth
(The Sun Child 01)
by
Lou Hoffmann
On his way to meet a fate he’d rather avoid, homeless gay teen Lucky steps through a wizard’s door and is caught up in a whirlwind quest and an ancient war. He tries to convince himself that his involvement with sword fights, magic, and interworld travel is a fluke, and that ice-breathing dragons and fire-breathing eagles don’t really exist. But with each passing hour, he remembers more about who he is and where he’s from, and with help, he begins to claim his power.
Lucky might someday rule a nation, but before he can do that, he must remember his true name, accept his destiny, and master his extraordinary abilities. Only then can he help to banish the evil that has invaded earth and find his way home—through a gateway to another world.
Publisher: Torquere Press (2nd edition, January 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3~3.5Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb:The White Palace has risen, and now John Arrowsmith, his thief lover Infamous, and the rest of the gang from A Strange Place in Time must defeat a growing conspiracy and an ancient adversary. As John learns to use his own powers as Court Seer, he and the Court learn of a plot that their old enemy, SkullDigger, is concocting to finally defeat them.
With allies among John’s own Earth-bound family, and many others along the way, SkullDigger mounts attack after attack, which test John and his friends to the limit of their abilities. Will John and his friends, who include a pet duck, be able to fend off the forces that conspire against them?
Review:This book is the second part of a Trilogy that ought to be read in order.
The second book in the A Strange Place in Time series is, if not as good as the first, certainly a captivating one as well. It picks up right where the first stopped and manages to take you once again into the Tolkein-like world of Dargoth and the adventures Arrowsmith and his friends get caught up to.
Now in this installment I’m afraid I got a minor dissatisfaction right from the start. There is a distinctive change on Arrowsmith’s personality and mannerisms from book one. As we read their Arrowsmith, despite being brought up by white trash, he still had some innate elegance in him, a gentleness that couldn’t be explained, and his manners were not as crude as in this installment. For a while there, I was thinking that our character suffered a huge change from the moment he Recalled and that simply didn’t make any sense. I still think this is one big fault in the writing of this second installment.
However, the story made up for it big time. The White Palace has finally risen and now every member of the Court has to get there and try to figure out why. The enemy is real yet still a mystery with too many things happening to divert eyes from the main danger. Outward war is not what our characters deal with, rather schemes made in the dark, past enemies forming alliances to strike in different directions, and people long thought dead come forth from the shadows to shatter the false safety.
We also have a chance to meet The Nine members of the Court better. We get to see their pasts, how they came to be, and – personally – I was surprised by many of them. Misty was perhaps the biggest surprise of them all. I had not figured what exactly was his position in Court, so when I found out it safe to say I was left with my jaw hanging there for a while. His story from start to finish was exciting, his love was awe-inspiring, and yet again, I wish for more length in this book in order to have a proper development and give us the chance to process the multitude of information.
Monshika finally made sense and I must say he managed to become dear and charming in his way. Arrowsmith finally took the role I was expecting him to, but I fear the Seer (again) was not given as much time. Now, the character that I felt was the most fascinating of them all was Lord Sly. How very intriguing and how very unexploited he was. Seriously, I didn’t mind him being just another character in the first book, but here his talents were completely wasted. The final member and the most mystical one to join the party was Blue the Bard. We were wondering about him throughout the first and this second installment and we only got to meet him and his story right at the end. I pointed out that this author has a thing with cliffhangers (which I absolutely detest) and yes, he did it again along with a huge load of new intel. I literally screamed “I hate this book” when it abruptly ended, if it were a printed copy you can very well imagine me throwing it across the room and barely holding myself from tearing it apart. Yes, I’m prone to drama when I’m left hanging.
Overall, though, the book met my expectations. It had adventure and love, blood and death as well and I’m always a happy camper when schemes and plots manage to cause chaos. The anticipation for the third one on my part is quite great, so despite my loathing the wait, I feel the author managed to literally entrap me in this trilogy. It was addictive, it was highly enjoyable, and it’s definitely recommended for those who love High Fantasy.
Blurb: When Torrant Shadow fled his homeland of Clough, he hoped to leave its threats behind. He spent four years living with the Moons, making sure Yarri had a home; now it’s time for Torrant and his foster brother, Aldam, to leave for the University of Triannon, where Torrant hopes to create a new life enmeshed in healing arts and politics.
Torrant’s new school friends Trieste and Aylan want to teach him about love as he settles in, and at first, Trieste’s tenderness seems to make her the logical choice for an interim lover, while Torrant waits for Yarri to grow up. But Torrant has learned the hard way that nothing is simple when Clough still wields its influence over their lives. More and more, Torrant must call on the cold predator in himself, the part that Aylan most admires. The truth is, Torrant has certain gifts that give him an advantage of self-defense, but using them to protect the ones he cares for may destroy the part of him Trieste and Yarri love best.
As the four schoolmates progress to life beyond education and the evil from Torrant’s homeland becomes too pernicious to be ignored, Torrant must choose his destiny: Will he be a healer or a hero? Only Triane’s Son can be both.
1st Edition published as Bitter Moon I: Triane’s Son Ascending by iUniverse, 2008
Review: I am utterly in love with this series and it feels like I’m a child reading fairytales again, fairytales that allow my mind to roam free and explore exquisite magical lands and wonderful, lovable heroes.
Unlike my childhood fairytales though, this one is a bit more explicit. Life, love, power, cruelty, and violence have all a place in these books in which each are strong and evoke incredible emotions from the reader.
Triane’s Son Learning picks up exactly where the first book left and we see Torrant trying to bring two more members in his Moon family. Aylan and Trieste are two figures that we expected to be here and have a prominent place in this installment. At the beginning of this story, Trieste is Torrant’s lover and of course, her relationship with Yarri has a rocky start. It was lovely reading this, Yarri is always so very charming with her wildcat character, and she throws you off of your guard with her understanding despite her young years.
At least half this book revolved around the concept of family, the ties binding together more and more with every page, the love, and acceptance, the vast magnitude of a hearts loving capability. The shadows and darkness were always around the corner, the edges of this loving story were always tainted in blood, pain, and misery. Evil’s clutches never remained far, even as our characters grew up and tried to make their sweet dreams of a loving easy life true. But the half part of this book was easy, sweet, and tender, through the new challenges of life.
The character who surprised me for the most part was Aylan. My God, I honestly can’t say I expected the depth of this character, or the growth he’d suffer here. Aylan showed such a charming personality I died a little every time when he and Torrant kept dancing around each other, yet never meeting in the middle. When they finally did get their one and only night together I swear I wept. Throughout the book the tension between them was mesmerizing so when it finally, finally happened, it felt like it was my own long-term longing finally getting fulfilled. It was wonderful, it was brilliant, and it was painful to read. Mostly it was freaking erotic without being erotic, if that even makes sense.
And it applies for all the sexual scenes be them male/male or male/female. There was such a sensual approach in each and every one of them, such descriptions that made them all unique, yet you couldn’t choose which one was better. It’s perhaps the first time I read both gender interactions and I don’t feel as if one of them lacked in the erotic/sensual part. I simply have no words for them beside them being absolutely a joy to read. Perhaps it was Triane’s doing 😉
As for the action plot, well there are so many to say and yet words fail me. The story takes a fascinating turn. Many thing that didn’t quite make sense in book one, are now brought to light. This planet with its three moons is like a sitting volcano, the story itself is trembling with tension and a brewing storm. Throughout the read, you feel it and it affects you deeply. You keep anticipating the dark tendrils of Rath’s rotten heart to come grab you from a blind corner and make the read beat in a fast and eager for blood tempo. There are bloody scenes, of course, there are, and they grip you so hard that you simply can’t fight their power, just as you can’t fight the emotional charge that follows right in their step. Every time vengeance rears its head, guilt and hurt follows like a faithful companion, delving your heart in heavy yet delicious emotions. I can’t say how much I really, really love this story. I can’t say how hard it is right now waiting for the next installment I simply LOVE this story.
So bottom end, maybe I’m biased, but I can’t recommend this book enough. Pick up book one, then this one, and by the time you’re done book three will be out. That only leaves one last installment for you to wait. I’m sure it’s going to be agony. It is for me. Totally recommended!
Blurb: Torrant Shadow and Yarrow “Yarri” Moon grew up sheltered in Moon Hold, a place where Torrant’s goddess gifts were meant to be celebrated, and love of any form was a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, in Clough, within a stone’s throw of Consort Rath, having beliefs of that sort will get your family killed.
Grief-stricken, Torrant and Yarri are suddenly alone against the elements and a world that would rather see them dead than see them safe. Torrant’s goddess gift, which had previously been used for truth and healing, must be honed for violence and protection if either of them are to survive. When Torrant, Yarri, and their new friend Aldam reach safety, will Torrant be able to put this part of him aside? Or will Triane’s Son grow to fight the forces that forged him?
I’ve read a book that managed to bewitch me and keep me enthralled in its spell from start to finish yet again. Honestly, I’ve been a fan of Amy Lane’s writing from her first book. She never stops surprising me with her writing skills and the numerous genres she covers with her imagination. This time she’s granted us a wonderful epic fantasy.
This is the first book of Bitter Moon Saga and there are three more to follow soon. The main characters around whom this saga orbits are Torrant and Yarri. Torrant is the adoptive son of the Moon Hold and he and his mother have been living there ever since he was a little boy. His relationship with Yarri started when he was eight and helped his mother deliver the little girl. Ever since then Yarri is not only the Moon Hold’s most precious child, she’s also Torrant’s main focus in life. He literally never lets his eyes off of her, playing with her, looking after her, and doing anything in his power to make her smile. Their childhood life in Clough is a dreamy one, filled with love, joy, and laughter. It ends though in bloodshed.
Enter Consort Rath, an unspeakable evil man who has cast war on the deity of the gifted, the wanderers, the outcasts and exiles, the women, the magic-makers, the midwives, Triane’s Son Rising the forbidden lovers, and the sensually free. They are hunted down, ridiculed for their faith, and shamed for who and what they are. They are people who live in fear. One place in this country though has opened the doors of their hold to every chased soul. The Moon Hold.
Concepts and ideas are taken from reality and spun in an almost magical way to fit this fantasy. The politics and beliefs of our society are masterfully included in this tale and the results of them upon the people described in a most explicit way that doesn’t hide its horrific effect. The fear, the hatred, the agony of living you live hidden and half, the need to do something even when you know there’s nothing you can do. The guilt that comes with failing… Every single thing is excruciating and the evil is relentless on its path.
This is how this story begins. This is how Torrant’s and Yarri’s childhood life ends and their innocent days are ripped from them forever. This is how they are forced to abandon the only home they ever knew and start a most dangerous escape, battling the winter’s elements, starvation, and sickness to relative safety. This is how the fiercest gift the Goddess has given him demonstrates itself in the form of a predator that has a single-minded purpose. Protect Yarri at all cost. Even if that means he’ll lose himself into cold heartless vengeance in the process.
Torrant is an amazing character that it’s almost impossible not to adore. He has this deep profound love for Yarri that drives him to do the impossible. He’s violently ripped from his gentlest side and thrown into cold viciousness. He’s gifted with the ability to make the truth come forward; force his will upon others, and an angelic voice. This is his gentle side, his charm, and it’s quite irresistible. He’s also gifted with a predator that lives inside him, a clod hearted creature bound to the wild instincts of nature. Torrant could easily be described as two people, two different characters living in one body.
The pain he suffers from seeing his entire family butchered is so powerful that changes him profoundly. Not to mention that it is heart wrenching for us as readers too. You can only imagine what Amy Lane has done with all that pain. This is an amazing ability this author has, I think it’s her trademark, making you feel every emotion she so chooses so deeply that they leave you weak in their path. I can honestly tell you that I felt something akin to a fist sizing my heart, my stomach churn, and my eyes involuntarily shedding tears I had promised I would not let fall this time. The vastness of emotions involved is enormous. They are so powerful and they hit you with such force you’re left stunned in the aftermath.
As for this world’s she created, that is pure art. The description of this world is awe-inspiring. The magic feels… pulsating, the elements almost alive, like sentient beings, vibrant. It was a wondrous place and I quite loved it.
This novel was quite large and whole, but it’s only the beginning. It leaves you with a hunger and longing. When you reach the end, two things happen simultaneously. One you realize you’ve read an entire 280 pages novel in no time without even understanding it. Two you feel like screaming “nooooooooooo” because it’s ended just when you think that now this story starts. Triane’s Son Rising is the epilogue of an epic journey, one you cannot wait to travel.
For me this book was perfect and I can’t wait for the next one. Recommended? Not only that, I think it’s a must read and ought to be on everyone’s to-read list.
