7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bitter Moon is Bittersweet!, July 7, 2009
This review is from: Bitter Moon I: Triane's Son Ascending (Paperback)
Amy Lane is best known for her very popular paranormal romance series, which I have not yet had the pleasure of reading. Those of you who follow her work will recognize that `Bitter Moon' is a venture into a different realm...sort of. Fantasy takes many forms, but this one is truly unique in my admittedly limited experience, and I mean that in a good way.
Bitter Moon IS a fantasy, but it is also a romance. It has strong elements of erotica, and some of the graphic violence found in `milder' horror tomes. It is its own unique mixture rolled and pressed and formed into a fantasy that is at once intriguing, disturbing, and uplifting.
A good reviewer tries to give the reader accurate and even-handed feedback. I will give my straightforward impressions of the book (having just read the last page five minutes ago):
--The writing is of fine quality, expressive and rich, with a good flow and style that makes for an easy read. The author does a great job of `peaking and tapering' the story so that one is not overwhelmed.
--It is obvious that the author loves her craft. She loves words, and she knows how to use them effectively. The result is a story well told.
--There are many characters, but each is distinctive enough to avoid confusing the reader. Some of those characters are real gems!
--There is considerable adult content. This is not a book for children or YA (examples of `adult' themes include physical/emotional/sexual abuse, alternative sexuality, abortion, etc.).
--The descriptions of the world (and the events unfolding within it) are well done, placing the reader in the scene admirably. Some of them are absolutely marvelous!
--This author has great empathy with people, she quite obviously loves and understands children, and she knows how to convey human behavior--strong emotion in particular.
--The book was written with a sentimental and loving hand. I found myself getting caught up in the lives of the characters, particularly Aylan.
--The use of shape-shifting is wonderful, and adds a lot to the uniqueness of the story.
--The good people are really good, and the bad people are really bad (and deserve to die). I found little grey area with most characters--they were either loveable or loathsome. It will be interesting to see what happens when we finally get to know the uber-villain, `Rath.' I have high expectations.
--If you are looking for traditional `sword and sorcery,' you may not find it here.
--Romance readers will love it, as it is occasionally melodramatic, but even those who prefer a more conservative approach will be moved by certain scenes.
--It will be best appreciated by the socially liberated mind, and is probably not a good choice for the `Christian fantasy book club.' I found nothing offensive in it, as the adult themes are handled with sensitivity and taste. The emphasis on sexuality becomes increasingly prominent as the book progresses (normal in a 'coming of age' story) until it is perhaps a little too prominent for my admittedly sheltered-and-boring experience to relate to.
Probably the biggest complaint I have with it is the melodramatic aspect. Even though it is well done, I found myself getting a little weary of the near-constant barrage of strong emotion and psychological conflict, and it `dulled the blade of my empathy' a little bit. That might say more about me than it does about the book, though. I have the same difficulty with many romantic novels.
This author writes well, and she writes from the heart. This is a good story about human frailties and strengths, about the nature of love, and about the havoc that comes from the restriction of freedom. It's about the evil of repressive thinking and the importance of family. It's a 'romantic fantasy with political and social overtones.'
Fortunately, I've got the next one here already. Bring on the villain, says I!
Note: I struggled with the rating on this one, as it is only the first part of the story. I know I liked it, but did I love it? `Four-and-a-half stars' isn't an option. After a debate with myself, I decided to round up. The quality of the writing decided me. --CSM :-)
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Independently Published Book to Take a Chance On, April 3, 2008
This review is from: Bitter Moon I: Triane's Son Ascending (Paperback)
As my review will give 4 stars, I just want to point out the flaws that most hesitant readers will see before taking a chance to enjoy this book.
1. The book art is bad. It was literally drawn by a high schooler.
2. Those who keep up with Lane on her blog will recognize most of the Moon family members, to a point where one may feel hit over the head.
3. The book description does not do it justice. AT ALL!
4. There is some blog/AIM/text messegeing speak, not a lot, but enough to bother me.
5. Although MUCH better editied than Lane's FANTASTIC Little Goddess Series, still could use some work with long sentences, and either over use or under use of commas.
ALL THAT BEING SAID...
Fantastic. Just great. As usual, Lane creates a vivid world full of enchantment, adventure and more. She works hard to incorporate some traditional fantasy elements, but is not afraid to reinvent the wheel. Whats more, she has a messege. And I am not talking about Toliken's "those who endure conquor", not CS Lewis's "Jesus loves you". We are talking about religous tolerence, family values, self acceptence, the meaning of love in several different contexts, the meaning of heroism, the definition of bravery and more (although I must admit my least favorite was religious tolerence, as it came on a bit strong).
Lane takes a fantasy world an injects it with a healthy dose of realistic characters and relationships. Although fantasy is her first love, she has an honest way of exploring relationships in all their complex glory, and I would love to see her take a shot at fiction (although I demand a sequel to Bitter Moon I and the Little Goddess Series first). I was quickly drawn into the story and characters, and could not put down the book. Packed full of action, this story hits the ground running, and does not stop even at the end, as it is clearly stated that it is just the beginning of a two book story.
I URGE anyone reading this review to buy this book, and support a self published author. Belive me, all the negitives at the beginning turned me off, and a number of my friends to whom I have recommended it to. But it is truly a good book, and well worth your time. If you enjoy Bitter Moon(and would be ok with highly graphic sex scenes), then buy Lane's other series, The Little Goddess Series, which begins with Vulnerable.
Lane is being courted by a publisher right now. With so many BAD books out there, I pray that her talent is realized and she gets picked up.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book - Great Writer, February 16, 2008
This review is from: Bitter Moon I: Triane's Son Ascending (Paperback)
This is a solid, well thought out, well written, amusing, sweet, clever and heartbreaking book.
Don't be fooled by the cover or the occasional typo - this is quality stuff.
If you've read Jacqueline Carey, JR Ward, Michelle Sagara, or Ann Bishop this should appeal to you.
The characters are well defined and remain true to themselves and the landscape is clear, descriptions vivid and well done.
The only problem about being hooked on a writer like Amy Lane is that unlike some of the more known authors out there she has to earn a living and therefore takes a little while to finish each new book, so the sequel is a little way off yet.
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