Customer Reviews

Amazon Queen

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Amazon sons, gifted with similar magic to the Amazons, have kidnapped an Amazon baby. In the midst of trying to get her back, Amazon queen Zera Kostovska has to compete with a bold, defiant, younger, more tech-savy high priestess named Thea in modern day America. Zera, who has never used the internet, is uncomfortable with Thea's less traditional plans and blatant unwillingness to follow orders.

Not having read the first book, "Amazon Ink," I did not understand the role of fairy godfathers, especially in the context. Other than that, Lori Devoti does an excellent job giving enough background information to follow the plot without having to read the first book. My knowledge of mythology and Greek goddesses in particular helped my understanding of the book, but in some ways hindered my enjoyment. I am not a fan of dramatic irony; I much prefer to be caught off guard than figure things out before the characters, though I'll admit I didn't catch the last twist.

While the fantasy aspects are somewhat downplayed compared to other fantasy novels, "Amazon Queen" was the first novel I've read that truly put fantasy in the modern world. Characters used the internet, smart phones, and vehicles. It was a perfect balance. The story moved quickly and at least once made me chuckle, something I always appreciate. The characters were real and relatable. When faced with a moral dilemma, do we continue to follow those in power regardless of their demands? In many ways it reminded me of "Monstrous Regiment" by Terry Pratchett. Strong female characters question traditional roles in order to do what they think is right.

AMAZON QUEEN by Lori Devoti is a story full of intrigue and suspense. Bringing the legendary Amazons to modern times, Ms. Devoti has created a world where we get just a kiss of the paranormal. The story is fueled by action and drama, the perfect characteristics to get a reader hooked.

The second in the Amazon series, AMAZON QUEEN follows Zery, queen of the Amazons. A race of Artemitis worshiping women, the Amazons are incredibly gifted with height, strength, and certain magical abilities. Of course, many of these abilities becomes hard to hide in modern times so the nomadic nature of the people becomes a bit of a blessing for them. Or is it?

When a discovery is made in the first book, Amazon Ink, Zery will have to question the beliefs and practices the tribe has made for centuries. Could it be possible that there is another group of individuals out there with powers similar to their own? Could their actually be competition for the Amazons? With the question of friend or foe foremost in her mind, Zery has to find a way to protect her tribe while leading them forward in these new tribes. If that weren't a feat all on its own, it doesn't help that she has a backstabber in her midst. How is one supposed to save her people when those very people are made to shun her?

I find Ms. Devoti's writing style to be very conducive to getting lost within the story. There are good stories and then there are good stories that are written in the exact manner my mind thinks. That's what happened here. The words on the page flow by seamlessly with none of those stops or breaks that you sometimes find in writing. There weren't really any sections where I had to stop, look back, check for consistency or otherwise get my bearings.

If the writing style wasn't enough, the character development and progression of the story line would finish me off. I love the mythology present in the book and the darker take on it. While Amazon Ink was a great introduction, AMAZON QUEEN felt a bit darker and more compelling. I wasn't a fan of Zery at first, but as the story progressed I began to fall in love with her. My heart broke when hers did and many times I found myself perched on the edge of the couch, scared to see what might happen next.

If you're a fan of fantasy and paranormals, I highly recommend AMAZON QUEEN. This book is well robust with its use of suspense and the paranormal.

Zery Kostovska is an Amazon Queen who loves her people and tribe more than anything. Amazon sons have recently appeared, and shaken the all-female race to its core. Some want to accept the sons. Some want to go back to their old ways of destroying the males. Zery's tribe has a strange, new high priestess with different ideas. When Zery and her tribe are ordered to steal back a baby from the Amazon sons, she has no idea what's really going on. And the high priestess knows more than she's letting on. So Zery must make alliances with those she considered enemies. Zery has never questioned the high council. Until now.

In this breathtaking sequel, the narrative shifts from an Amazon outcast, to the Amazon Queen. Zery is, of course, a strong, confident woman. But when all that she believed in, comes crashing down around her, Zery must rediscover just what it means to be an Amazon and what kind of woman she wants to be.

I love Devoti's Amazon world, and wasn't disappointed in the slightest with this solid follow-up novel. A narrative shift gives new perspective and fresh ideas. Unfortunately, I found the mystery aspect of the story completely predictable. But the characters and interactions are so strong, that it carried the story for me. The suspense and adventure are intense. Action-packed and fast-paced, it's impossible to put down. I'm hoping the series continues, as these have been a real highlight in the urban fantasy genre.

To disclose, there are two plots I hate: rape and kidnapped children. I want to read Fantasy novels that are fun & entertaining, and these topics are inherently depressing. "Amazon Queen" opens with a child being kidnapped by both the Amazons and then the Amazon's sons. So the book opened with a huge black mark against it for me.

spoiler!

Well, sort of...you'll learn this all in the 1st chapter...unless you're willfully unobservant. My second giant beef is that the entire book plot is revealed in the first two chapters. The Sons kidnap a "girl baby" from a different tribe of Amazons. A different group of Amazons kidnap the baby back. Before anyone can check the child's gender, their new priestess hides with the baby to perform a "secret ritual" that involves a sharp knife...and that the oblivious leading lady has never heard of before. Mid-ritual, the Sons kidnap the child.

It takes the leading lady half of the book (literally!) to figure out that the baby is a boy and that the priestess was going to kill him.

Amazon Ink (Amazons, Book 1) was excellent.

Zery, an Amazon Queen, has never been more unsure of anything in her life. For generations Zery and her people have lived quietly and without threats from outsiders. Now, the Amazon sons are showing signs of female traits which has her wondering if the males have any other talents they have been hiding. Zery admits that certain changes do need to be made within the tribe but she isn't quite sure how to go about it. Her power is slowly slipping away. Will she be able to save her people? Or will someone else take charge of the tribe and risk everything her people have tried so hard to protect?

I liked this book. There were certain parts that I thought were kind of out there, but overall it's a fun book.

This is actually the second book in this series. "Amazon Ink" is the first book. I had not read that first book, but this book was written well with just enough background in the preface. In this book, Zery is a very traditional Amazon warrior Queen. However, the threat she thought she would have to face is not the one she will have to fight. Things nag at her especially with her new priestess, but are quickly thrown away. If you can't trust the tribe you pour your life into, then who can you trust? However, she finds that her blind devotion is just that, blind. As things start to unravel, she learns that a new greater threat has nothing to do with centuries bound tradition changing. In fact, those traditions changing could be the key to winning.

In some ways this paranormal also reads as a mystery with action, twists and turns. It's a fast paced read and one I enjoyed. Even though the mystery was solved before the players solved it, it still was very entertaining. You could even imagine that there might be Amazons living amongst us today. I'd even try twirling a staff after reading this one if I wasn't sure I wouldn't either knock my self silly or give myself one heck of a migraine. So, I give this book 4 warrior cries. I think I will even try to locate that first book to read.

Amazon Queen by Lori Devoti

A new take on the Amazon warrior, this book is set in current times. The conflict between the status quo and change defines the book.

Zery, an Amazon Queen, discovers that the Amazon sons have powers and skills similar to her own, she is shocked. Moreover she is shocked to discover that many of the "truths" she had taken for granted were not necessarily true. Shape shifting, sword fights, gun battles, there is action a plenty for all readers. This isn't a great book but it is an entertaining read.

I recommend the book.

Nothing ever stays the same and that is something Amazon queen Zery is slowly coming to understand. For the past ten years, Zery has staunchly enforced the strict Amazon way of life in her small tribe but it seems that within a matter of days her very way is life is coming apart at the seams. Until recently, Zery considered her tribe's only enemy to be a group of sons - men who had been born to Amazons, but who had been abandoned at birth in order to preserve the all-female Amazon way of life. But it seems now a new enemy is stepping forward, one who would threaten to destroy every Amazon tradition and belief. With her leadership under question and help coming from the unlikeliest of groups: the Amazon sons, Zery must try to discover the source of betrayal. Before it destroys the entire tribe.

Although intriguing in premise, Amazon Queen failed to deliver on a variety of fronts. I for one was extremely intrigued to learn more about such a fierce group of women who distance themselves from society in order to protect and maintain their ancient abilities. Unfortunately, Lori Devoti never manages to make me fond of any of her characters. Time after time, I found myself exasperated with Zery's lack of foresight - I mean, the woman supposedly had been chosen as queen for her leadership and brains, but all I saw was indecision and someone who was unable to connect the dots until every piece of the puzzle was laid out plainly for her to see. No foresight, no ingenuity. Maybe warrior Zery needed to spend a little less time at the gym and a little more time reading or studying. And that leads me to another issue: supposedly, the Amazons eschewed all types of technology in order to keep their distance from mainstream society, but I would think as an ancient civilization, they would have had to adapt and change their ways over the years in order to not obviously stand out anytime they were around normal humans. I mean, Zery had never even used a computer? Seems a little far fetched. And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to my issues with this book. Very disappointing. And although Amazon Queen could have been a real page-turner, I was put off by the clumsy writing and my utter lack of emotional attachment to any of the characters. Definitely not one I'm going to be recommending.

Zery is the leader of the Amazons. A very powerful group of women with extraordinary gifts. Zery has held dear to everything she new about what she believed was the truth. She learns that things aren't as they should be like that there are shape shifters. When the Amazon sons decide to attack Zery and her tribe, Zery learns the hard way about just what guns can do. With this new enemy whom can match Zery and her women skill or skill, she is going to have to watch her back every step of the way. It appears though that the Amazon sons have a reason for attacking. They are after a baby.

Jack Parker is an Amazon son an a shape shifter. He can transform into a wolverine. He and Zery team up together but can she trust him?

Fans of paranormal will be slain by Amazon Queen. It is book two but can be read as a stand alone novel. I was fully engrossed in this book. Amazon women rule. This book was filled with mystery, magic, intrigue and wonderful story line. Jack and Zery worked well together. I like that he seemed to be a bit of a loner and so was Zery. This book kept a fast pace. I can't wait to read the next book. Make sure you spear your copy of the Amazon Queen today.

Amazon Queen (Amazons, Book 2) by Lori Devoti
Paranormal Romance-Urban Fantasy-Apr. 27, 2010
4 stars

Amazon Queen is the 2nd in Lori Devoti's Urban Fantasy series about Amazon women. It is an absorbing and fast-paced read. If you have ever been interested in the fabled Amazon women, the author does them justice. She layers her story with a complex plot filled with paranormal beings that have super human powers and mythical Greek gods.

The Amazons are an ancient race of woman who worship the goddess Artemitis. She gives them special powers and extra ordinary strength. All Amazons live a nomadic life and generally stay away from humans except when they need resources or are looking to procreate the next generation of females. To keep themselves strong and prevent men from causing them problems they have killed or maimed any sons they have birthed. However, in the past 200 years they have changed their ways and instead abandoned any male Amazon sons. But what they do not realize is that the sons of Amazons have grouped together and have been watching them. And they have the unheard ability to shape shift which makes them dangerous. As a group, they are organized, but do they want acceptance from the Amazons or do they want vengeance?

In the first book Amazon Ink, the author's Amazon series, Mel the artisan was the main character. She was also a powerful priestess with magical abilities. In this story, Amazon Queen, Zery a warrior and an Amazon Queen is the starring character. Zery was the best friend of Mel. As a leader she strictly abides by the laws and rules of the Amazons and their High Council. All she wants is for the Amazons to be strong and prosper but her new high priestess; Thea has been difficult to get along with. Zery cannot seem to trust her and finds her mind strangely foggy and less decisive when Thea is around. When Zery's latest assignment to save an infant girl from the evil clutches of a group of Amazon sons fails she shoulders the blame and responsibility. Determined to save the infant she hunts down the child but in the middle of the rescue finds herself injured in an explosion and left for dead by Thea. When Zery returns to her tribe she finds herself kicked out. Zery questions the loyalty of her high priestess and what she has been told about the sons of Amazons. Who really are her enemies and who can she trust? And why does Jack a secretive Amazon son seem to be taunting her about her beliefs and following her?

This was an immersing story. I have always been fascinated with the Amazons and I feel Lori Devoti has created a realistic portrayal of what they might be like if they lived today. I loved how they all wear tattoos and how each signifies some sort of personal power. The mythology the author has built around her characters is deep and interesting. In the beginning of the story Zery is very head strong and narrow-sighted. (At first it was a difficult switch to read about her since the main character in the first story had a more maternal, flexible nature.) But it was great to see Zery change and become more accepting and adaptable. I loved her courage as she fought against all she had thought sacred because she knew what she was being told was inherently wrong. The only quibble I had about this book is that I figured out the villains pretty early on in the story and it was frustrating for me to read Zery not figuring it out sooner and paying the price. You just knew 'that' was going to happen and I cringed at the aftermath. I do have to comment how utterly ruthless and evil the villains were, the author did a fantastic job of creating truly wicked characters. This is a strong story but the ending leaves Zery on another journey. There is a pay off at the end of the story but Zery has a lot more to do so I can only assume the author will continue her journey in an upcoming book next year.

Filled with drama, high adventure and dazzling mythology I highly recommend this series. Anyone who loves a strong heroine with a heavy dose of magic and mayhem will enjoy it, too!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club