Irene L H. (NonExistence) -
Helpful Score: 5
It seems I have been reading a few end of the world books lately. This one has been on the shelf for a while now and
was in need of some attention. I love the idea of the Shadowblades and the Sunspears. Also the concept behind what
fuels their powers holds a bit of logic that is often not seen in supernatural books. Overall I think it led to
enough of a tie to the natural to make it seem even more feasible. Not that I have a problem with the suspension of
disbelief, mind you.
Bitter Night is the first book in a new series called the Horngate Witches. In the beginning I was confused as
to why Max was so eager for revenge, but reading further on in the book gave me the full picture. While her character
is an awesome warrior, and clearly has no problem getting a date if she so dares, she's not perfect. She definitely has
anger issues, and she knows how to hold a grudge. In my honest opinion, I think this has only made her stronger in the
long run, despite the not always great outcome.
In addition to the quality of the writing and the story, Max and her fellow soldiers can kick some serious ass. If you
are into bad-ass super-soldiers and like the tough as nails woman that would put the likes of Buffy the Vampire
Slayer to shame, then Max is your lady! She is strong, focused and used to things that would put down a normal
Shadowblade. And your normal Shadowblade is used to things that would put down a normal human by far.
The plot itself was a strong one with enough turns and reveals in it to let you know that this book is only the
beginning. It also sets up the seeds for several plot points in the coming sequels. It also shows the promise of
evolution for the characters in those entries as well. Add this plot to the cliffhanger hooks throughout and the
emotional attachment to the characters and you have a real page turner.
I'm elated to find a new UF that fulfills everything on my wish-list, and my only regret is that Diana Pharaoh Francis
is still writing book two, so I must curb my impatience.
was in need of some attention. I love the idea of the Shadowblades and the Sunspears. Also the concept behind what
fuels their powers holds a bit of logic that is often not seen in supernatural books. Overall I think it led to
enough of a tie to the natural to make it seem even more feasible. Not that I have a problem with the suspension of
disbelief, mind you.
Bitter Night is the first book in a new series called the Horngate Witches. In the beginning I was confused as
to why Max was so eager for revenge, but reading further on in the book gave me the full picture. While her character
is an awesome warrior, and clearly has no problem getting a date if she so dares, she's not perfect. She definitely has
anger issues, and she knows how to hold a grudge. In my honest opinion, I think this has only made her stronger in the
long run, despite the not always great outcome.
In addition to the quality of the writing and the story, Max and her fellow soldiers can kick some serious ass. If you
are into bad-ass super-soldiers and like the tough as nails woman that would put the likes of Buffy the Vampire
Slayer to shame, then Max is your lady! She is strong, focused and used to things that would put down a normal
Shadowblade. And your normal Shadowblade is used to things that would put down a normal human by far.
The plot itself was a strong one with enough turns and reveals in it to let you know that this book is only the
beginning. It also sets up the seeds for several plot points in the coming sequels. It also shows the promise of
evolution for the characters in those entries as well. Add this plot to the cliffhanger hooks throughout and the
emotional attachment to the characters and you have a real page turner.
I'm elated to find a new UF that fulfills everything on my wish-list, and my only regret is that Diana Pharaoh Francis
is still writing book two, so I must curb my impatience.
Helpful Score: 3
Summary: Once, Max dreamed of a career, a home, a loving family. Now all she wants is freedomâ¦and revenge. A witch named Giselle transformed Max into a warrior with extraordinary strength, speed, and endurance. Bound by spellcraft, Max has no choice but to fight as Giselle's personal magic weapon â a Shadowblade â and she's lethally good at it. But her skills are about to be put to the test as they never have beforeâ¦.
The ancient Guardians of the earth are preparing to unleash widespread destruction on the mortal world, and they want the witches to help them. If the witches refuse, their covens will be destroyed, including Horngate, the place Max has grudgingly come to think of as home. Max thinks she can find a way to help Horngate stand against the Guardians, but doing so will mean forging dangerous alliances â including one with a rival witch's Shadowblade, who is as drawn to Max as she is to him â and standing with the witch she despises. Max will have to choose between the old life she still dreams of and the warrior she has become, and take her place on the side of right â if she survives long enough to figure out which side that isâ¦.
I have lately had an issue with getting into books, it's a weird and inconvenient problem in the book blogging hobby. I started reading this book after dinner last night and continued reading to about 2am today. It was amazing, it was a bit slow to start and there was a part of the plot that I was a bit lost on but everything else was amazing. The dialogue was witty, funny, and full of a few fun pop-culture references. I love the strength of Max's character and the tension between her and Alexander. I love the angels, witches, faerie folk, creatures, spells, magic, etc. I loved it all. There was so much action going on in this book, it is non-stop the whole way through, no joke, there is like 2 pages in the whole book that something is not going on. It was a complete thrill ride, one I will gladly take again when the next book is released, and I can hardly wait to see whats up with Scooter.
For more information or for purchasing visit Ms.Francis's webpage.
Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/11/book-review-bitter-night-by-diana.html
The ancient Guardians of the earth are preparing to unleash widespread destruction on the mortal world, and they want the witches to help them. If the witches refuse, their covens will be destroyed, including Horngate, the place Max has grudgingly come to think of as home. Max thinks she can find a way to help Horngate stand against the Guardians, but doing so will mean forging dangerous alliances â including one with a rival witch's Shadowblade, who is as drawn to Max as she is to him â and standing with the witch she despises. Max will have to choose between the old life she still dreams of and the warrior she has become, and take her place on the side of right â if she survives long enough to figure out which side that isâ¦.
I have lately had an issue with getting into books, it's a weird and inconvenient problem in the book blogging hobby. I started reading this book after dinner last night and continued reading to about 2am today. It was amazing, it was a bit slow to start and there was a part of the plot that I was a bit lost on but everything else was amazing. The dialogue was witty, funny, and full of a few fun pop-culture references. I love the strength of Max's character and the tension between her and Alexander. I love the angels, witches, faerie folk, creatures, spells, magic, etc. I loved it all. There was so much action going on in this book, it is non-stop the whole way through, no joke, there is like 2 pages in the whole book that something is not going on. It was a complete thrill ride, one I will gladly take again when the next book is released, and I can hardly wait to see whats up with Scooter.
For more information or for purchasing visit Ms.Francis's webpage.
Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/11/book-review-bitter-night-by-diana.html
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Helpful Score: 2
Max used to be your normal girl with a normal life until the day her college roommate turned on her. While drinking one evening, her roommate, Giselle, asked Max if she would like to stay young forever, be stronger and other fairy tale questions. Half drunk, Max said yes. Unfortunately, when she woke up, she was something not quite human.
Giselle is a very powerful witch, and its the Shadowblade who guard her and the coven. Max is now bound to Giselle with spells so tightly wound, she cannot be away from her witch for long. A slave, she cannot wait for the day she can kill Giselle and get her freedom.
But Max is not like other Shadowblade guards. She has a few drops of witch blood in her, which make her even more powerful. When the Guardians decide that they want to scourge humanity from the earth with the witches serving them, Max needs to decide between saving humanity or getting her freedom.
Bitter Night is an excellent beginning to a wonderful new urban fantasy series. I couldn't put it down, I was so immersed in the story!! Max is a strong character who has so many layers, it will be interesting to see how she evolves. I wanted to hate Giselle, but there is some humanity there that makes it hard to do so, although I loved to hate her. The Shadowblade that serve under Max make for some interesting background stories and it will be interesting to see how they develop. The world is set much like ours today so it made it easy to follow; the focus the characters and storyline and not the world building. If your looking for a new gritty, action-packed magical urban fantasy, Bitter Night is a must read. Absolutely fabulous!!
Giselle is a very powerful witch, and its the Shadowblade who guard her and the coven. Max is now bound to Giselle with spells so tightly wound, she cannot be away from her witch for long. A slave, she cannot wait for the day she can kill Giselle and get her freedom.
But Max is not like other Shadowblade guards. She has a few drops of witch blood in her, which make her even more powerful. When the Guardians decide that they want to scourge humanity from the earth with the witches serving them, Max needs to decide between saving humanity or getting her freedom.
Bitter Night is an excellent beginning to a wonderful new urban fantasy series. I couldn't put it down, I was so immersed in the story!! Max is a strong character who has so many layers, it will be interesting to see how she evolves. I wanted to hate Giselle, but there is some humanity there that makes it hard to do so, although I loved to hate her. The Shadowblade that serve under Max make for some interesting background stories and it will be interesting to see how they develop. The world is set much like ours today so it made it easy to follow; the focus the characters and storyline and not the world building. If your looking for a new gritty, action-packed magical urban fantasy, Bitter Night is a must read. Absolutely fabulous!!
