Review: Sigh
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 13, 2014
One thing I try to do is look at each book on its own. Yes you have to look at it in the sense of a series but what I mean is that I try not to let my liking an author or a series muddy the waters. Sometimes I succeed sometimes not. This time... I enjoyed the first series in this world. It was an interesting story with fun and thought out characters. If you read that series you know that there was plenty that was left undone, that it was part of a greater series. That means that while it is a new start it should still advance things as a whole.When I first heard about this new character Tarah and how she was the protagonist I was disappointed and somewhat concerned. When I found out Justan would be back in book two I was happy and concerned. After reading this book I am more concerned. If Justan is going to be the main protagonist in the next book where does that leave Tarah? I can see what she will be doing and how it could affect things in the greater scheme of things but adding another POV is worrisome. I'm concerned it could dilute the story with it following too many characters at once.I HATED Tarah at the start. She is for one thing annoying. She has a habit of talking about herself in the third person. Tarah Woodblade is not a coward. Tarah Woodblade is strong. She ACTUALLY says this to other characters!! UGH!! She did grow on me a bit as time went on but I still just didn't really like her. Internally she is also kind of whiney, those two things combined were probably what did it for me.  I didn't care about her or Djeri either for that matter. He was kind of plain to be honest, o he is special don't get me wrong but he acts kinds of like Lenui only not as intense.The bit about Arcon the author mentioned? Boring. It is really just used to reveal the antagonist for the series, that's it. Some interesting things? Sure, but still boring.The story itself was kind of like the beginning of the bowl of souls series in that it is more a personal tale and lacks much in the way of greater scale. Honestly I was not impressed by the book. We don't get any new information really about the world or how it works. It could have been interesting to see the world through two new POVs but we not really given that chance. We are not really treated to any new information or experiences. Just what is going on with Tarah and how she is being pulled into the greater plot. Actually that is a good way to look at it. It reminds me of Hilt's Pride in that it feels more like a way to bring new characters into the story than to advance a plot. Only this time it is a whole book not a short story.I'm disappointed. So far this may be my least favorite book the author has written, I have no desire to reread it. That being said I will be buying the next book. I am concerned about where the series has gone so far but I am still willing to follow it, at least for now.