Customer Reviews

Bitter Moon I: Triane's Son Ascending

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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 :-)

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.

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.

Bitter Moon I is quite simply one of the best books I have ever read. Ever, not just best of this year or best of the recently published. It's quite simply a phenomenal literary work. I really want to do this book justice with my review so I will attempt to be extremely detailed. I should start by saying that initially I was not anticipating this book. The reason for that is not because I thought the book would be bad, no quite the opposite. I knew it would be good I just thought that I would not be reading it, and thus not getting to read an Amy Lane book any time soon. I just assumed that because Ms. Lane was writing this book to be readable by her teenage children, the subject matter would be somewhat "dumbed" down. This is not the case and I am extremely glad that I did not let my initial fears hold me back. My review will not contain any spoilers, I refuse to ruin this for anyone else. Thus the descriptions may be a bit sparse. Now on to the story.

This book is about a boy and a girl who's lives change on a fateful and terrible day. This book is about a family that is so strong it makes you yearn. This book is about love and faith and vengeance and what each of those things makes you do. This book is about the choices that you make and how they in turn effect everything and everyone around you. This book is about stepping away from what is and could be wonderful for you in order to make sure that everyone can experience that wonder. This book is about a love so strong and deep, it will pull you in and make you resent the last word written. This book is about Torrant and Yarri and many others, but they are it's heart. Torrant, the hero and main character of the story, is a boy who becomes a man in a moment but takes some time still to mature. He has a journey that is so worth reading I can not adequately express myself or do it justice.

I wish that I had the words to do a better job recommending this book. I can not say enough about how moved I was by this story. I received this book yesterday and once I opened the book there was no going back. I didn't stop reading to do anything except basic functions and even then I was so drawn back to the book that I rushed all of those. I read this book into the wee hours of the morning because I didn't want to leave the world. I don't know any other way to say how wonderful a book is that can do that. Ms. Lane is a jewel. Her books are jewels. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for a story that resonates in my soul as corny as that may sound. I can not wait until book II because I must know where this journey ends.

Bitter Moon I: Triane's Son Ascending
By Amy Lane.

Fantasy/Adventure/Romance

To me the start of Bitter Moon was a slow process of keeping track of all that occurred, making me wonder for a bit if the author had perhaps started the tale a long time ago and then discarded the idea for a while before resuming with the world she had created in that long ago idea.

The first twenty pages, or so, the characters and scenes seemed to be all over the place, but then chapter two started.
Perhaps this inconsistency finds its origin in me, in the fact that I had to get used to Lane's "writing voice". But whatever the reason, once I got through the first part, the process improved vastly and I could immerse myself in the tale that was being told.

As the story begins to unfold it is quite lovely to read of the intense loyalty between Lane's two main characters Torrant Shadow and Yarri Moon, forced, under horrid circumstances, to flee for safety while trying to cope with the loss of their family.
It is written with touching intensity and makes the reader involved with the two young orphans forced to survive in a rapidly changing world.

I would have liked to see the children-which in fact they are-talk more child-like, but in light of that which they have suffered through, and the harsher times of the world in which they live, I was able to chalk their premature maturity up to the circumstances.

There is a good in-depth description of the loss both children experienced, in how they are desperately trying to grab hold of anything and everything that gives them a reminder of the wonderful home they were so brutally torn away from. I felt for them, and that is a very important element in any tale.

The family ties, the love and dedication in the interactions of the entire Moon family and their closest friends is infinitely touching. As the story continues I get a feel of being an observer in the lives of these main characters as they find stability in an unstable world and rapidly begin to grow up into strong adults willing to fight for what they believe in.

Romance: It is subtle and sweet on the most part, with what can be described as detailed, without being crass about it. Though love/affection is shared with a certain abandon, it is emotion rather than lust that drives the characters.

Early on in the story it already becomes clear that Lane has a liberal mind when it comes to love and the way to express it, and within Bitter Moon she seems to have created a place, a safe haven, if you will, in Eiran that is quite Utopian. She is specific in her prose and ideals and does so in a pleasant manner that makes the reader look at characters rather than their sex.

A particular aspect I enjoyed was Lane's description of the Moon-destined (soul mates), which is impressive and endearing at the same time.

Growing up: It seems to be an important part of Bitter Moon, and brought in a somewhat unorthodox, yet easy to follow, style that makes it an enjoyable read, as slowly the characters come of age and start on their paths towards adulthood.
Innocence gets battered and reshaped; yet it stays present and relatively untouched. This is a beautiful thing to read.

Violence: Lane goes into specific detail during the variety of battles waged throughout the story, but it is done in a poetic way, rather than stressing on the brutality of such deeds. Those who do no like too much violence in their reading, will certainly be able to identify with the characters that are forced to do atrocious deeds in order to protect those they love...and hate themselves for it.

Characters: The book has a lot of them, relatives, friends and whatnot, and even though it takes some effort to keep track of them all (for me at least) they do all add to the story and bring a wonderful variety to the whole.

The main character Torrant comes across as an old soul carrying a heavy burden while gathering a small group of loyal friends that recognize his caring and give it in return. He is devoted to his future love, and not ashamed to show it.
His moon-destined, and true love Yarri Moon, grows up from a willful child into a strong young woman who certainly stands her own against her male counterpart.
This is always a wonderful bonus in a story and I enjoyed the interactions between the two tremendously.

Politics: Also very prominent throughout the story, pointing out modern day bias as much as those of old. The horrors of it, the struggle to overcome and not to mention the fear it causes to those who are victim of people who hate anyone who is remotely different.
Dangerous intrigue, in other words, spy games, forced upon the characters due to loyalty and a sense of justice, and it does manage to draw the reader in rather effectively.

Conclusion: This tale might not be the best choice for the conservative reader, (though I doubt many will find offence in anything within the tale) but it will definitely attract those who are less strict in their view of love and affection.
Bitter Moon manages to create a different world with all the beauty and horrors any world is bound to posses and offers an engaging read for pretty much anyone out there willing to try it out.

I find it to be an excellent beginning of a series, which makes me more than a little curious as to what will happen next.

For me to enjoy a book, I must find a character that I can relate to as the story progresses. This character must walk in a world that I can walk in, a world I can see and feel through my relationship with the character. Torrent Shadow is such a character, both believalbe and masterfully crafted. As I followed Torrant's life through the words of Amy Lane, the story came alive for me, and at it's conclusion, I found I had another family. The story is powerful, well conceived, expertly crafted and totally engaging.

I would recommend it to others that have read other things, but I've not read anything quite like it enough to do that. Instead, I'll just say that I enjoyed it completely and have no problem with recommending it for itself.

This is my first time reading Amy Lane, and I can't believe she's self published! (I assumed she would be hot commodity to any publisher!) I loved this book so much. The characters are created with loving care, and in turn you fall in love with them, the story is heartfelt and simply beautiful. A great read for any fantasy or romance lover alike. I would classify it as a rare find amongst many imitators--this is the real deal. I'm really looking forward to Bitter Moon II.

It just proves that Amy is very multi-dimensional! I feel this book is a 180 degree turn from her 'Little Goddess' series, but just as wonderful and engrossing. She has created a new world that is easy to slip into and layered characters that are hard to forget. I am eagerly waiting for part two to arrive. Please keep writing Amy, it is wonderful!

As an avid fan of Amy Lane's Little Goddess series, I have waited anxiously for the release of Bitter Moon I. Having just finished reading this wonderful work in record time, I can only say that Ms. Lane has exceeded my expectations. From the shocking and heartrending opening, the characters lived in my heart and grew to be friends and family I want to see again. This is a story of love, the strength of family, the price of vengence and living with honor. Read and enjoy!

Again, Amy Lane has brought her characters to life, leaping right off the pages and into my heart. This complex story of Life and Love is told with such insight and tenderness, it makes you wish you were honored enough to be a part of it. The depth of the characters is so well portrayed, it's amazing she could accomplish it in the words of a single novel. I wish I could do it justice with mere words, but you just have to read it. The story is interesting, intriguing, and the strength of the continuity carries you through the last page, leaving you wanting more. I look forward to Bittermoon II with great anticipation.