In a realm beset by natural disasters, only the bonded Pairs–Source and Shield–make the land habitable and keep the citizenry safe. The ties that bind them are far beyond the relationships between lovers or kin-and last their entire lives…Whether they like it or not.
This was a strange one for me: I liked the story, but couldn’t stand Dunleavy, the book’s first person narrator.
The novel begins in the Matching Circle, a ceremony which will bind Dunleavy’s Shield to a Source; the pairing is out of her hands. That’s not to say that Dunleavy doesn’ t have her preferences, and Shintaro Karish is at the very bottom of her list. From the back cover: “…the legendary, handsome, and unbearably self-assured Lord Shintaro Karish. Sure, he cuts a fine figure with his aristocratic airs and undeniable courage. But Karish’s popularity and notoriety – in bed and out – make him the las Source Lee ever wanted to be stuck with.” And so my problem with her began from the moment they bonded and she let her interactions with Karish be ruled by heresy and gossip.
Throughout the whole of the novel Dunleavy, or Lee, seems vaguely blind to all but her own preconceptions. If she learns anything from someone else’s actions, something that may go against her belief in them, it’s acknowledged and quickly swept under the rug, sometimes left there, it seemed, to be forgotten. Most of the time I wanted to shake her for this.
Granted, she never admits to being the most gracious of persons, and instead takes full responsibility for her traits: “But I was a seflish person. I knew this about myself.” And she is, mostly, exhibiting that selfishness in her thoughts more constantly than through outright actions. I had a very, very hard time warming up to her. Actually, by novel’s end, I still hadn’t warmed up to her. She didn’t seem to grow (much) and her personality barely bent to allow for newfound revelations (such as Karish’s reputation, which may or may not be quite what it seems.)
I sincerely hope that she changes in the next book, if only slightly, because I dislike disliking the main character in a book I was otherwise engaged by.
And I definitely was engaged. It took me no time at all to read. I liked Karish and several of the secondary characters – including one we “meet” only through letters (which probably makes him little more than a periphery character. Still. I liked him.) And the concept of a Source and Shield, a bonded pair able to avert natural disasters, was nicely handled. It certainly required a varied form of magic and was, in fact, the only magic to be had in the story. There was also treachery – always good for quickening the pace – and betrayal. All good.
Other than Dunleavy, the only thing I could pick at would be that rather big events were ushered in with one sentence, usually at the beginning of the chapater. I was usually left saying “Whoa! What happened there?” or “Huh? Really?”
Still, I will definitely be reading The Hero Strikes Back and, most likely, Heroes Adrift. Unless I still want to throttle Dunleavy. Which is a definite possibility, but even then, I’m intrigued and so may opt to stew and grumble as I turn the pages instead.
You gave me a thrill to see this one reviewed. Great review, as well. You’re exactly right. The notion of sources and shields and Moore’s world is very intriguing and unusual. Lee is a very stubborn, introverted character and she just cannot seem to see Taro for what he is. I adore Taro so I kept hoping she would work it out somehow. Like you said, she is honest about her failings. And it’s my opinion that she has a very deep-rooted misconception about herself which is the source of her misreading her Source. But the basis for this is mostly in 2 and 3. Book 2 is better in many respects (and very good stuff from Taro). I’m glad you’re giving it a shot.
I’m so glad I finally got to read this! And you hit it right on when you said that Lee is stubborn and introverted (I for sure can understand the latter, but still it irked me in her. Go figure!)
Good stuff from Taro in book two? I am so there!
Great review! I just finished this one last week, and I have the same problem that you did. Lee made me crazy. It became glaringly obvious to me, as the reader, that Taro wasn’t the enormous arse that Lee thinks him to be, and it drove me nuts that Lee couldn’t get off of her moral high horse long enough to realize that. Gah!
But it was a very quick, engaging read and I’ll probably pick up the next book in the series next time I find it.
Exactly! And when she did – for the briefest of seconds – question the validity of his “reputation,” she totally pushed it aside and kept thinking the way she wanted to! Drove me insane.
I’m waiting on the second one now. Keeping my fingers crossed that Lee’s attitude comes around.
This series really hit me right. I like Lee, but I LOVE Taro. I agree that Lee can be shortsighted and blind to a fault, but she does get better and I for one would say: YES, keep reading! The series gets better.
I’m definitely going to keep on with it now. I do like most of the characters and the story itself kept me going. I just got the third one in, but, obviously, I need to read the second one first.
Planning on doing so as soon as it comes in.
Shallow of me I know, but I would never have picked up this book because of it’s cover lol.
I kind of had the same reaction, but I read Angie’s review of it, which prompted me to pick it up. If you think this one is bad, you should see the one for the fourth book….Ah, then again, maybe you shouldn’t.