Wednesday, March 13, 2013

BOOK REVIEW - SHADOW HEIR by RICHELLE MEAD - DARK SWAN # 4 - BANTAM BOOKS - 4.5 STARS!

By: Richelle Mead
Published By: Bantam, Random House
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 390 Pages

RATING: 4.5 UNPREDICTABLE ENDING STARS!

Blurb : Goodreads

#1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead returns to the Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own--and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage...

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice...


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle :

I have wrapped up yet another Richelle Mead series. Woot!

I must say I have mixed feelings about how Richelle ended this series. I understand Eugenie and her fears, but gahhhhhh!! It almost leaves an opening for a rather explosive book # 5. 

Now that, I would read!

I know this is the end of the series..... but, if you read this series and get to the end of Shadow Heir you will understand what I mean.

I would never take points off my review for the ending as I think it was deliberately written to shock. I like that! Richelle gave readers something to talk about and no doubt complain about, lol!!

Fear will make people do things they may regret later. Bottom line, Eugenie has a great fear for her children’s lives and it is currently out weighing maybe the logic of what is right.

I thought this was a great wrap up to a series. I think I would have liked Kiyo being a bit more lethal as he seemed almost too mellow when he entered the storyline...considering.

Oh, the couple twists thrown in were brilliant! I also think somebody needs a bit of a stinky dead fish slap for .... well, I can’t say.

What I can say is Richelle gave me a dangerous quest, a villain who appeared a bit over the edge with the plan that really wasn’t going to succeed, not with Dorian fighting alongside Eugenie, they really do make a good pair and twists that will shock.

I do love Dorian. Richelle allowed that man to evolve. He became very loveable. He has such a quirk to his character one moment, an almost laid back approach in another and then he is the hero in another moment. It was a case of what ‘Dorian’ am I going to have now. I do so love his banter. It is very much owned by him. I also love when I can see a glimpse of him letting down his walls around Eugenie and showing that caring side, minus the banter.That uber smexi side that came out in the early books.

Yowzer!

“I don’t know. Tell me the essentials. What are they like? What are their names? Are they really in good health after being born so early?”

“Their names are Isaac and Ivy,” I began.

“Isaac?” he repeated.

“It’s a nice name. A human name.”

“I’m aware. But it’s not the name I’d give to a conqueror of worlds,” explained Dorian. He considered. “I would’ve gone with Thundro or Ragnor. I might just call him Thundro anyway.”




“But tell me, how are you handling all of it?”



“Why, hello,” he said cheerfully. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything. I was just passing by and thought I’d see if your charming hovel needed any patching. My magic’s quite good at summoning dirt and rocks for convenient household usage.”



Dorian scoffed. “Little Thundro? A terror? hardly, unless perhaps we’re discussing diapers.”



“But it’s very reasonable,” he teased. “I have skills no-one else can teach your children. And it’s be a shame not to pass on my legendary charm and charisma on to the next generation. A tragedy, even.”

“Legendary, huh? That might be an exaggeration.”

“It’s truth, my dear. And I’m willing to put it all at your disposal --- I’m willing to put anything at your disposal --- if it’ll help you and yours. As I keep saying: What wouldn’t I do for you?”



Candace and Charles I adore these two. Candace is quite the character. 

Before I could even muster an answer, she turned and yelled, “Charles, wake up! Just like we practiced!”

And to my astonishment, it appeared they really had been practicing this. I was glad someone had because I certainly hadn’t.



Evan is an addition that has the reader wondering.

I so love Roland. He is just a stand up guy. Always there with a plan and a helping hand.

Volusian, he almost appeared helpful. I really liked his character throughout this series. I wouldn’t trust him, but at the same time, he seemed obliging in this book. 

“Yes, mistress,” he agreed. “And were it up to me, I assure you, I would stay out of your presence for as long as possible, unless I was coming to end your life and rip you limb from limb.”


I personally think Richelle tied up most of her ends.....well there is that ending that is rather..errrr....let’s just say Richelle will pull at your heart strings with that ending.

It wasn’t predictable and I give the thumbs up for that!

Michelle

6 comments:

  1. Awesome review. I loved this book and the ending, oh man! Didn't expect it. Love Richelle Mead. Thanks for sharing.

    Katie ~ Turner’s Antics

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ending was very unpredictable to say the least, but I did kinda like that about it. Not saying ethically it is right, lol!!

      :D

      Mich

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  2. I haven't read any of her adult books but need to since I love her YA.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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    Replies
    1. OO Yes Brandi, I love her Succubus and Dark Swan series. I love reading Richelle. I think I have read 17 of her books?? Whahhhhhh!!!

      lol!!!

      Mich

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  3. I haven't read this series, but it looks like I'm going to have to! Those quotes? Oh they are just so Richelle!

    Jesse @ Pretty In Fiction

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    Replies
    1. I really enjoy her adult and YA writing. I think I counted 17 books I have read of hers. I think that is the most of any author I have read ..or maybe Tim O'Rourke, but his books are a lot smaller. Richelle has big books!

      :D

      Mich

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