~~ Gonna Re-read before finishng review ~~
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| Home, My review page | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elaine Corvidae | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not usually a fan of fantasy novels I purchased one of Elaine Corvidae’s books after becoming engrossed in her free online story Exhile’s Burn. Updating monthly Exhile’s Burn is a fast moving sci-fi story with interesting characters and many twists and surprises. I enjoyed Winter’s Orphans first in the Shadow Fae trilogy and I’m now collecting her other books. They are all well written, the worlds finely drawn and characters ones you can instantly connect too. She challenges the rules of fantasy writing and characters react true to themselves rather than to their perceived roles; Retro-genre at it’s best. I highly recommend her books. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wolfkin ~ Lord of Wind and Fire ~ Book 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A fascinating introduction into a richly textured world layered with class and species differences. The characters are well drawn and you quickly become embroiled in their lives. Suchen steward of Kellsjard makes a strong and likeable female lead, while Yozerf bitter from his past experiences and guarding secrets is a fascinating protagonist. Unlike a lot of fantasy novels this is less a story of heroism than one of people. People who act with strength and honour through duty and collusion, others that act from jealousy and greed. Threats and enemies are easy to understand rather than being an overblown crazed power. What happens with Rozah is unexpected but in its way validates the story and adds realism to fantasy. Ax is a revelation as a twisting of the Gandalf wizard role, turning loyalty to a crown/place from a thing of honour into sinister question. The book is complete in itself yet there is a great sense of more to be revealed, of hardships and discoveries yet disclosed. It would be a shame to stop here without wandering further into the world Elaine has woven and I highly recommend continuing the trilogy with the second book The Crow Queen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Crow Queen ~ Lord of Wind and Fire ~ Book 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elaine doesn’t waste time needlessly recounting back story from the previous book Wolfkin but rather starts with a fresh character Londah and through her very quickly draws the reader back into her world. Londah is a fascinating addition who has her own unique way of dealing with things. There’s a very telling conversation between her and Yorzerf early on regarding the taking of sides. Londah’s point of view highlights how unexpected the allies have been formed are and how with a slight shift in the chain of events we could have been reading a wildly different story. By the end of the book you come to understand and respect Yorzerf a lot more. His character is well written and his story is revealed in a way that makes gives it a powerful effect on the reader without overdoing the sentiment in speeches. Despite having painful past Yorzerf has to much pride and strength to ever fall into the tortured hero mould, besides the fact he’d resent being called a hero. The comparison between Suchen and her brother Peddock and their loved ones is startling. While not what I'd class as a romance love and relationships are shown and challenged in a number of ways. The words spoken between Suchen and Yorzerf highlight how much further they have to go The dramatic climax is emotional and I loved the brief epilogue that reassures us that there’s more to come. You’ll definitely want to have the concluding book Dragon’s son to hand for when you finish this. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dragon's Son ~ Lord of Wind and Fire ~ Book 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The first chapter quickly and subtly brings us from the previous book and draws us back into the tale with touching scenes featuring an adorable newcomer Owl. Unexpected though it is to meet pivotal characters in the final book of a trilogy she’s quickly a favourite who does much to add to the overall story. The attachment between her and Yorzerf is wonderful to watch. Although each book is complete in itself you’d miss a lot by not reading them in order. In The Crow Queen we learnt a lot about Yorzerf’s past and it allows us to see why the events of this book effect him so deeply. I liked the realism of the book, despite it being a fantasy in an early scene stark reality is shown. Hero’s are not all powerful and can’t right every wrong, they can be outnumbered and people can get hurt. There are many memorable scenes on the journey that sees warring races unite and old allies reunited with Yozerf gaining the respect and acceptance of others and of himself. Elaine keeps a steady pace to and through the final showdown. Concluding with a satisfyingly happy ending for people who’ve come along way physically and emotionally. And Londah, I think there’s a rightness about where the story leaves her, she’d not wish things different. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winter's Orphans ~ Shadow Fae ~ Book 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This is the first book I read by Elaine Corvidae and it quickly convinced me to reserve space on my keeper shelf for her work. As an author she’s not afraid to challenge typical genre stereotypes and her books are the better for it. The setting is in the style of a Victorian industrialised world and indentured worker Mina is a strong female lead who doesn’t need smart wisecracks to show her strength. Duncan is a wheelchair bound intellectual rather than brawn. The romance between the two is subtle and acknowledged in a very moving scene. My favourite aspect of this book is the way the characters react to circumstances true to their own experiences rather than by role. Instead of instant sainthood Elaine's characters feel the bitterness and anger you'd expect of people who have suffered and been betrayed. Good people are capable of doing terrible things and good and bad aren’t a clear cut issue. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prince of Ash ~ Shadow Fae ~ Book 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prince of Ash staring five years after the events of Winters Orphans, brings new lead characters to the Shadow Fae trilogy. Everyone will fall for young Pook gorgeous yet totally lacking self-awareness he retains an appealing vulnerability despite his toughness. Gang member and fae he another layer to the world of the first book as through him we see further aspects of the social structure. Although Mina and Duncan are present and play an integral part to proceedings this book is largely Pook’s story as the battles on the streets and among the fae heat up. Alexandreya clever, curvy and bespectacled with a warriors spirit is a girl after my heart and there’s clearly more to learn about her. The scenes between the two raise many a smile. Other characters old and new appear to raise interest and curiosity. Athough the book ends on a jaunty note there’s clearly a lot more to come in the concluding book where the fae’s intentions will surely be revealed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Sundered Stone ~ Shadow Fae ~ Book 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOT YET RELEASED | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tyrant Moon ~ book 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refreshingly it is the female character Arrow who is the strong warrior in this book and in a total role reversal the male Thraxis is the weak innocent who’s wizard's strength isn’t freed until late on in the book. The different societies are well drawn. ~~ Gonna Re-read before finishng review ~~ |
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| Heretic sun ~ book 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not yet got | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sorceress Star ~ book 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOT YET RELEASED | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||