The Office of the Shadow

The Office of the Shadow is the second book by Matthew Sturges.  I do not know where he has been, but if these two books are a sampling of what is to come. I can not wait to see more.  Unlike a lot of sequels, the Office takes the characters from Midwinter and sets them on an entirely different course.  It is a continuation of the story started in Midwinter, but it could also be a stand alone book.  There are some twists to the plot that are unseen until they happen.  That is a great benefit to me!  I do not like books that are predictable.  There is love, war, corruption, hate, and redemption all in this one novel.

Midwinter

Midwinter was another book I found browsing at the local library.  I glad I picked it up.  Matthew Sturges paints a world that feels very real and characters that I would like to meet, and some I would like to meet only with backup!  It is set in a world where humans are there by accident or kidnapping.  Elves are the main lifeforms and there world is magic, but real "human" emotions.  It is a world where there are floating cities, flying boats and an occasional car that is misplaced.  I enjoyed the action, the character interactions with each other and the environment, and I was rooting for the good guys and hoping the bad guys got what was coming to them.  I am ready to read the next book in the series, and lucky for me it is already out in the library.

The Shadow of the Sun-Finished

For some reason this book was a long read.  It seemed to go fast, but there was no end.  I did enjoy the adventure that was the story, the writing was descriptive, maybe too descriptive at times.  I would NOT recommend this book to a younger reader.  There was very x-rated scenes, especially towards the end of the book.  When the next book comes out, I will read it without a doubt.  So on to the next, which is MIDWINTER by Matthew Sturges.  This is the opposite of the Shadow of the Sun.  It is a quick read and a lot of action.  Some intrigue and twists and turns.  I thought I knew one thing that was going to happen, but it wasn't what I thought!  These are the books I enjoy, they keep me on my toes.

A new author: Barbara Friend Ish

I was browsing through the new books at the local library and found The Shadow of the Sun by Barbara Ish.  I had never read anything by this particular author, but I was intrigued by the snippets of the story on the back cover.  It is a basic fantasy book that has some great descriptive writing.  When Barbara describes the places where the story takes you, I can almost see it.  The characters are compelling as is the story.  It is easy to lose yourself in the story and come to when the eyes start to glaze.  One thing I have found that I am not so fond of, there is gaps where there have been battles and the story starts again after the fact.  This may have been a deletion to save space or a concise decision.  It was just very noticeable and a little confusing.

Shadow Raiders--Finished

I would have to say that Shadow Raiders was one of the best books I have read in a while.  It is like riding a roller coaster.  Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen--WRONG, it takes a twist and takes the reader on a different path.   I am sure I missed a lot of little things especially when I read the last several chapters because the action just sweeps you up and takes you along for a ride.  And what a ride it is!  As with some books, I want to read the next volume and I want to read it now!  It just takes too long for the next volumes to be released. What happens to the character I have grown to like, and even the ones I could hate if they were real?  Do the dragons come back to save the day?  I would highly recommend this book for any Fantasy reader, it would be a little much for a pre-teen, but a teenager who has read a lot could find this an interesting book.  It will be a great read for anyone!  This is a KEEPER I am going to read it again just to see what I missed the first time.  For a free novella that takes place before this book check out www.margaretweis.com.

This book is being release May 3, 2011. 

What a Wild Ride-Shadow Raiders

Shadow Raiders is giving me a wild ride.  The action has gone from fast to furious pace, I don't want to put it down.  Unfortunately real life rears it's ugly head and things like work, sleep, laundry have to be done.  The descriptions of battles scenes and creatures are great.  They make you feel like you can see the action!  Just what makes the difference between an OK book and a GREAT book.  It is almost like watching a thriller, on the edge of your seat waiting for something to happen.  All I can think of, is the soundtrack from JAWS playing in my head.  It is that intense.  Sorry that is all for now, I am going back to reading Raiders!

Update on Shadow Raiders & Kings of the North

Shadow Raiders: I am truly enjoying this book.  The characters are very  likable.  During one section I actually looked ahead (which I hate doing) to make sure the outcome of a conflict before I read on.  I didn't want to get upset and then have to back to work.  The story becomes easier to keep tract of the farther you get into the book.  The action picks up and some surprising things pop up to keep up the suspense and makes the book harder to put down.  I begin to want longer trains and longer wait times for appointments. 

Kings of the North:  I finished this book a couple of nights ago.  As with all of Elizabeth Moon's books I WANT MORE AND I WANT IT NOW!!  But of course I will have to wait.  The only thing I didn't like about the book, where is Paks!  I know this wasn't about her, but I miss her.  I did enjoy getting to know more and there were some very interesting twists put into play.  I am really intrigued by some of the plot twists and what may come from them.  But I will just have to wait.  Maybe I will go back and read the series from the beginning (again) and see if I can try to guess.