Review: Very well thought-out fantasy, new concepts
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 17, 2014
From the time that the main character, Kate, a New York professional white-collar worker, plunges into the fantasy lands of Hallion, to the time she and her merry band of accomplices descend beneath the monastery to the gloomy depths where they fight hideous creatures and she becomes separated from the group, I was bored.  Unfortunately, that was a good third of the book, riddled with so much inner dialogue and tidbits about the fantasy world that were random and unfocused.  I kept reading, though, intrigued by the idea of a modern-day woman suddenly entering an alternate fantasy world.From that point on, the book took off.  I loved the ecstasy that Kate savoured when she was treated to a luxury spa when recovering from her battles, and how she was trained by the over-zealous warrior, Wolperia.  And Ryyd, the gentle, all-knowing lion that accompanies Kate on her adventures... who wouldn't want a companion like that?  The encounter with the bog witches and the mythology that was spun out in great, delicious detail was amazing.  This author is very unique, and she's demonstrated that she's more than capable of unravelling totally new and inspired mythology-making. I don't want to give too much away, but the riddle of the nine cups was an amazing plot device.  Like I said, this author has a totally new take on epic fantasy, bringing in some modern taste.  I see that she writes a lot of romantic history, which does not interest me at all.  As a man, I'm glad she writes this kind of fantasy, so I could truly enjoy what she writes!There are some "what the heck?" moments in the book (like a Roman-end-of-empire party being held in the middle of fierce fighting?) but if you can get past the beginning that starts after she is transported into this fantasy realm, you'll definitely be rewarded.