Originally published: 1995
Page count: 400
Dates read: 1/11/24-1/26/24
2024 book goal progress: 2 out of 24
Description on back of book:
In Storm Rising, mysterious mage-storms are wreaking havoc on Valdemar, Karse, and all the kingdoms of the West, plaguing these lands not only with disastrous earthquakes, monsoons, and ice storms, but also with venomous magical constructs - terrifying creatures out of nightmare. Both Valdemar's Heralds and Karse's Sunpriests struggle to marshal their combined magical resources to protect their realms from these devastating, spell-fueled onslaughts. But as the situation becomes bleaker and bleaker, the still fragile alliance between these long-hostile lands begins to fray. Unless Valdemar and Karse can locate and destroy the cause of the storms, they may see their entire world demolished in a final magical holocaust.
First sentence:
"Grand Duke Tremane shivered as a cold draft wisped past the shutters behind him and drifted down the back of his neck."
Favorite quote:
"Sejanes cackled and slapped Master Levy on his back. The old man was stronger than he looked; the Master engineer actually staggered for a moment. 'Hiding arrogance behind false modesty, boy? Don't bother; we all know we're in elite company, and you're included in that.' "
CAWPILE Rating: Overall - 7.6/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters - 8
Atmosphere - 7
Writing Style - 7
Plot - 8
Intrigue - 8
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 8
What is a CAWPILE Rating?
Review:
In Storm Rising, mysterious mage-storms are wreaking havoc on Valdemar, Karse, and all the kingdoms of the West, plaguing these lands not only with disastrous earthquakes, monsoons, and ice storms, but also with venomous magical constructs - terrifying creatures out of nightmare. Both Valdemar's Heralds and Karse's Sunpriests struggle to marshal their combined magical resources to protect their realms from these devastating, spell-fueled onslaughts. But as the situation becomes bleaker and bleaker, the still fragile alliance between these long-hostile lands begins to fray. Unless Valdemar and Karse can locate and destroy the cause of the storms, they may see their entire world demolished in a final magical holocaust.
First sentence:
"Grand Duke Tremane shivered as a cold draft wisped past the shutters behind him and drifted down the back of his neck."
Favorite quote:
"Sejanes cackled and slapped Master Levy on his back. The old man was stronger than he looked; the Master engineer actually staggered for a moment. 'Hiding arrogance behind false modesty, boy? Don't bother; we all know we're in elite company, and you're included in that.' "
CAWPILE Rating: Overall - 7.6/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters - 8
Atmosphere - 7
Writing Style - 7
Plot - 8
Intrigue - 8
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 8
What is a CAWPILE Rating?
Review:
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Although, instead of Elspeth, it was Firesong who annoyed me with some poor character choices this time - though it was supposedly resolved by the end. I really like Karal and I'm enjoying reading this trilogy through his eyes. The truth spell was finally brought back and I question why it wasn't used in the first book. Some non-paired Companions are communicating and working with non-heralds, which is unheard of, but I like the twist. I appreciate the overall theme of this trilogy regarding the challenge to look beyond your own prejudice and assumptions about others.
Now I'm off to read another book... but since a review should be more about the author of the book than about the writer of the blog, I will let Mercedes Lackey have the last words. The quote below is a little longer than usual, but it doesn't have any spoilers.
"As Karal squeezed her hand, he allowed himself a moment of annoyance. 'Now tell me this - what good does it do to be a Priest or to be able to talk with Avatars if neither your God nor the representatives of your Goddess are going to give you any clues?'
Natloli chewed her lip thoughtfully for a moment. 'I've been listening to you and An'desha talking about the God Vkandis and the Goddess Star-Eyed, and I wonder if this isn't another one of those cases where there are many choices and, since none of the choices are detrimental, They aren't going to help. I mean - They watch while people kill people and let people die all the time, and only take a hand in things once in a while, when it will make a big difference down the road. The rest of the time, people have to do what they feel they should, and accept the results. It's that "free will" thing again.'
He groaned, 'I could do with a little more guidance and a little less free will!'
'I couldn't.' Once again, she surprised him. 'I want to make my own decisions, and if they're all the wrong ones, then I'll learn from them. I want to be an adult, not a child. I don't want to be led along the safe path! The safe path is never new, and the safe path never teaches you anything others don't already know!'
Had she always been like this, or had her enforced idleness given her time to think about these things? He was astonished at the clarity and fearlessness of her outlook. 'A lot of people wouldn't agree with you,' he replied, answering her as seriously as she had spoken. 'A great many people would rather have the safe path, and be taken care of. They'd rather have all their answers assured, neatly packaged, with "the end" put on the last page.'
'Then they can look for that neat package, but it's a false one, and they're only fooling themselves.' Her eyes were shining, and her color heightened with excitement. 'There is no end to questioning, except decay. And I'm not ready to sit down and rot, and neither are you.'
'You're right, I'm not.' "
