Review: Promise, but didn't quite get there...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 31, 2013
I was quite excited at the beginning, thinking I'd stumbled across something quite epic. The introduction set the mood for a truly transporting series, and the beginning chapters were dark, with that magic touch of realism that fantasy worlds thrive on...I enjoyed Rane and the potentials of Nord and Lion as heroes. I could see the story going somewhere along the lines of Red and his brother in Juliette Marillier's Sevenwaters trilogy and the prophesy "hinted" accordingly. But, it didn't. There's potential for development along these lines in future books, but I suspect we're moving away from these three characters and focussing on others, from the tone of the epilogue.There was a couple of language issues for me - one glaring example was "Okay". There are so many better words to use, more in line with the era, the staging. "Do you agree?" "Do you consent?" even "Hmmm?" if she didn't want to reword the entire sentence would fit more with the tone.The sex scenes were detailed, a lot of talking, but after the first, not very inventive. I like my erotic romances, but I found myself skimming the sex through this book as it was a little... boring. Plus I like to read about the heroes giving pleasure not getting it. That's sort of the point of these books, to my mind (shrugs) because of the audience they're written for.The whole "drama" with the two female antagonists seemed immature, under developed, and predictable. The BBW arrives, the local skinny beauty and her social climbing mother have their eyes on the BBW's men, and insult and plot against her. Rane (the BBW) demonstrates her power as Lady and firmly tells them off, to the approval of her Lords. Zzzzzzz.I did like how Rane takes down her attackers through out the book. Big yay for girl power.SPOILER ALERT - I did not like how she grew. Even though she kept her curves, changing the physique of the main character mid story, even by 4 inches, defeats the point of BBW stories - that the heroes find the BBW heroine attractive JUST THE WAY SHE IS. It's also a little like one of those make-over stories - you know the ones - a new hair style, a bit of height and her beauty is intensified. I dunno. What's the point of them being giants if she grows? I just didn't like it.I did like the detail of the seamstress making her dresses before the growth spurt, however. That touch of realism again.The author has a great writing style - easy to read, and draws great mental images. I just think this one got released a little early with too little critical proof reading from her beta readers. It has potential, but it was a let down, especially for the price. For this price, I'd expect a much more developed story, and double the length.So overall? It's (pun intended) Okay.