Monthly Archives: July 2021

Review: The Adversary

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Review: The AdversaryThe Adversary (Chronicles of Rhyacia #2) by Thea Harrison
Published by Teddy Harrison LLC on July 26, 2021
Genres: Fantasy
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: For fans of the Elder Races series, this is another opportunity to get to see Pia and Dragos and their cast of characters again. Note that this is the conclusion of the book The Unseen and must be read after that book. DO NOT READ FURTHER if you plan on reading The Unseen as this review necessarily provides spoilers for that book.

THE STORY: The story begins where The Unseen ends. Dragos has been “possessed” by an adversary. Pia has discovered the deception and attempts to make contact with her husband who is hidden somewhere within his own body. Pia must find a way to help her husband. The defeat of this enemy, however, will take the help of many of those from the Elder Races world.

OPINION: The Adversary completes the story from The Unseen. Although the Unseen contemplated several sequels, Harrison completes the story here. The wonderful thing about this story is that Pia and Dragos feel right. Although the story is shorter, the characters are so familiar now that I fell into the world and their relationship so quickly.

Although I never doubted that Pia and Dragos would resolve the conflicts here and continue with their lives together, the conflict here felt substantial and dangerous. Admittedly, I cared more about the relationships between the characters than the particular plot, but the danger here did not feel contrived but rather a real threat to these characters.

Harrison has done several Pia and Dragos sequels or updates at this point, but this one seems like it is time to move on to other characters and stories. Not because this book isn’t good, but rather I think the two should enjoy some peace together rather than facing a new villain at every turn.

For fans of the Elder Races series, this book will give you yet another glimpse into the lives of not only Pia and Dragos but a number of the Elder Races series characters.

WORTH MENTIONING: Definitely for fans of the series because the book assumes a tremendous amount of knowledge about the characters. However, I loved seeing so many favorites again.

CONNECTED BOOKS: This book is the second part of the Chronicles of Rhyacia series but is also connected to the Elder Races series and is part 2 of book 9.9 in that series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book from the author in order to prepare this review prior to the release date. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

 

four-stars

Review: Fallen

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I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Review: FallenFallen (Kate Burkholder, #13) by Linda Castillo
Series: Kate Burkholder #13
Published by Minotaur Books on July 6, 2021
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

 

FINAL DECISION: An enjoyable suspense/mystery story. The circumstances are really sad but I love Kate and John getting the opportunity to do some work together. The story kept me guessing and I was surprised by the ending. This series is fantastic and always a great summer read.

THE STORY: Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to a motel where a young woman has been brutally murdered. She is surprised to realize that she knows the woman who was killed. She was raised Amish and then left the Amish faith and Painters Mill. No one seems to know why she returned and who wanted to kill her. Kate’s investigation brings out many secrets and threatens someone who wants those secrets buried.

OPINION: This is a great read to take to the beach. Murder, suspense, and the great character of Kate Burkholder. The story is well-crafted and while not as personal for Kate, I enjoyed watching her do her job. I was surprised by the ending and felt that the story was topical and yet did not feel forced.

The crime here was violent and the story was graphic at times, but I felt that was completely appropriate in this case. The horror of the crimes committed here is important for understanding the gravity of the acts and builds surprise as to the final resolution.

The book made me turn the pages as it started with a shocking crime that drives the story through to the end. As is often these cases, things don’t turn out as expected, but everything works with the explanation. Reading these books again often surprises me how things are planted throughout the book which provides clues to the solution.

Another winner in this series although a tiny complaint is that I still prefer the more personal stories to the professional cop ones, but no complaints on the actual story and execution.

WORTH MENTIONING: I love the interaction between Kate and John and this book has some really good moments between them that raised the level of this book.

CONNECTED BOOKS: FALLEN is the thirteenth book in the Kate Burkholder series. Each of the books is a self-contained mystery so this book can be read as a standalone. However, there are continuing personal stories that make this series better to read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

 

five-stars