Among the most powerful of the Order is Sorcha, now thrust into partnership with the novice Deacon, Merrick Chambers. They have been dispatched to the isolated village of Ulrich to aide the Priory with a surge of violent geist activity. With them is Raed Rossin, Pretender to the throne that Sorcha is sworn to protect, and bearer of a terrible curse.
But what greets them in the strange settlement is something far more predatory and more horrifying than any mere haunting. And as she uncovers a tradition of twisted rituals passed down through the dark reaches of history, Sorcha will be forced to reconsider everything she thinks she knows.
And if she makes it out of Ulrich alive, what in Hell is she returning to?
Geist (Book of the Order #1) by Philippa Ballantine
Paperback, 304 pages
Published 2011 by ACE
Firstly this is one of the most beautiful covers i've ever seen in my life. The art is just plain amazing and totally makes you want to read the story without even looking the summary!
On the book now. Is it as good as its cover? Oh my...yes yes it is! Philippa Ballantine creates an original new world which gets you in from the first chapters. A story with mystery, lots of action, romance, friendship. There are so many books out there in fantasy worlds and most of them are around the same concept of heroes, and prophecies, and elves, and orcs, wizards,etc so Geist is definitely a nice change into those worlds with a combination ghosts,bits of steampunk and paranormal fantasy. There are no huge epic battles but there is some serious exciting action scenes with many twists though the story.
Another thing that i liked is how the characters are not teens who are new to the geist things but adults with lots of history behind. I liked how i learned the history of the world by learning more about their own history at the same time. And there is a character for everyone to like, a kick ass woman, a cute and bit shy at times but really strong (mentally and physically) guy, a hot exiled prince (who is actually pretty much awesome for more than his hotness!), a mysterious girl and many other secondary characters.
Even though the book is more of an introduction for the things to come, with many unanswered questions at the end, it totally stands alone as great novel. The first 2-3 chapters (how much i love when books start with an action scene!) where you meet everyone through some events are bit confusing since you don't know anything about this new world but it's actually really easy to adjust and remember everything.
The only thing i didn't like about the book is that i didn't pick it up earlier! Easy one of my favorite fantasy adventures which i can read again and again and stay with me through time!
The book is not YA, just saying.
Thanks Philippa Ballantine for providing a copy of the book.
Yes! I have this book on my nook and I am anxiously awaiting getting the time to read it! :) Great review!
ReplyDeletethis is an awesome cover, it reminds me both of DnD and of Narnia :D
ReplyDeleteAlso the story seems nice from the review ;)
Have it ordered I will have it soon!!!! SOOON!
ReplyDeleteAaw why do everyone want to re-kill the dead? they are not evil, just...dead!
Is there an archer dude there that is not gay? because from fantasy art I am starting to despair that I am the last straight ranger....wait that is good! @Silvestro ^^
@JohnnyB you are eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil :P
ReplyDelete@Johnny: some dead are evil:p
ReplyDeleteand no archer but Sorcha has gauntlets with runes, Raed has a sword but he barely use it since he transforms into a lion and Merrick has a strop (that needs an explanation..his powers in general :p)
@Yiota FIIINE!
ReplyDeleteWell I have to admit i was not as impressed as you were from the book. The world was interesting, and it was good to see a story with actual good ghost lore. BUT, the characters were just blah, not bad, but not super amazing as well, except for Merrick. Sorcha and Raed are alright but I found their romance scenes annoying and to many. Quite frankly, since I am not the one getting laid, i am MUCH more interested to see how Merrick is being a badass as he always is instead of how Raed was "too hard to resist". Another thing is that I think that Merrick was wronged in this book. He is the most powerfull of the characters, a keye character in the plot, very interesting with a backround that wanted me to know more and he is very important to sorcha with the bond and all. Instead we see him as a minor secondary character, with some scenes from now and then, but not as much as I would want. So my hopes for Spectyr? Less sexy times, more Merrick times please!
ReplyDelete