Customer Reviews

The Bitter Seed of Magic (Spellcrackers.com)

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

 

 

Really, I'm afraid I'm not going to do the book justice. I never really analyze books, characterization and plot points, etc. Frankly, I wouldn't know the first thing about this type of reviewing. I do know whether I like a book or not though. Mainly I focus on whether I enjoyed reading the book, if the dialogue was good, great or lame and how the story flows....
for me, this means The Bitter Seed of Magic scored high on all three points. The dialogue was great, the enjoyment factor was high and the book flowed from beginning to end, from the first page to the last.

Genny Taylor has come to enjoy a sort of peaceful existence after the events of the last two books - She's not under any immediate threats, the vampires are leaving her alone, the witches are tolerating her, and the fae are holding back on pushing their courting of her. But this is just the eye of the storm, because really, everything has just been on hold. Being called in to look at a body, checking for spells seems to be the catalyst for a series of events that shatter Genny's world and even changes what she thought she knew about herself.

Previously, Genny had found out that the fae were under a curse - no fae would be fertile and they all expected Genny to be able to crack the curse. Many of the fae expect her to be able to break the curse by bearing children with them, or doing the nasty with them. Of course Genny doesn't want to be forced to bear any children with just anyone (or anyfae). But at the beginning, things are calm, until the body is discovered. Turns out this isn't the first body, and they've all been faelings.

Genny is now being pressured in a huge way to find out what's going on, at the same time the same people seem to be going against her finding out, the fertility curse becomes important again to all, and things begin to spiral out of control.

There were many twists in this book. It was great. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, nope - that wasn't it. It's fun being taken by surprise with who's behind the deeds and who's plotting against whom.

I also love the way the different characters speak to each other. Ms McLeod is able to have (for instance) Genny and Malik have a conversation with Genny's more modern speech and Malik's more formal speech with out it feeling forced and awkward. Seems like this should be an obvious skill for writers, but it doesn't always work out for some.... Speaking of characters; I love a good mixup of character types. And the Spellcrackers.com series has lots of fun characters....dryads, brownies, goblins (might be some of my favorites, with their love of the shiny bling), witches, ghosts, vampires, satyrs, and more. I also love the way they are described under their glamour - or their human guises. The attention to detail without being overwhelming, the many varied appearances - I am consistantly amazed at the creativity of writers like Suzanne McLeod. sometimes you get to read a story that calls itself paranormal and yet has very little interactions with different species. Suzanne's novels are all about all the different appearances and species, and behaviours.

Even though one of the main points of the plot was fertility, or the fertility curse- with all the accompanying feelings and desires that go with fertility - I didn't feel like I was getting ambushed with the "hawt and heavy" - y'know, the heaving breasts, and turgid...well y'know. There were some steamy situations and some hot-blooded wants, but it never felt like that was the complete purpose of the book. The parts were there, the situations were happening - but it wasn't obsessively so; there wasn't a time when I felt like rolling my eyes and saying "oh please". Believe me, with some books that's all I felt like doing. I usually don't finish reading them. There was a good blend and balance of story, subplots and all those....y'know - feelings. :)

Fun characters, good plots, fun dialogue, some steam and lots of humor to go along with the suspense and mystery. What else could I ask for in a novel? Wonderful! If you've already read the first two in the Spellcrackers.com series, you're going to enjoy this third book. If you haven't read any of them yet, What are you waiting for?

Life is never easy when the fate of London fae society rests in your womb . . . it has been months since sidhe Genny learnt that her ability to conceive would unlock an ages-old infertility curse. Since then she's had dryads and kelpies on her dance card and some less-than-subtle advances on her person.

Genny is busy looking for an alternative curse-breaker that doesn't involve a bun in her oven. Meanwhile, a dead girl turns up in the river Thames and Genny is dragged into a police investigation that sees her butting heads with DI Helen Crane (again). Matters are made more awkward when Helen's ex-husband, Genny's current boss and almost-kinda-boyfriend, Finn, wants to solidify their courtship.

Not to mention the mysterious and enigmatic head-honcho vampire, Malik Al Khan, and all the delicious problems he entails . . .

`The Bitter Seed of Magic' is the third book in Suzanne McLeod's brilliant urban fantasy series, `Spellcrackers.com'.

I was beginning to run out of reader-steam after second book `The Cold Kiss of Death'. I was mostly disgruntled with the lack of romantic-development in Genny's life, despite the central plot of her baby-making curse-breaker indicating that love interests should factor in heavily . . . so it was with slight trepidation that I went into `Bitter Seed', but I came away a reborn-devotee of McLeod's fascinating series.

In this book, Genny really can't hide from her destined curse-breaking baby-making any more. London fae are getting impatient, orderly courtship cues are being formed and Genny is rudely forced into acknowledging her fertile-role in the whole thing. Whereas in previous books the baby-making curse has wrecked Genny, forcing her to question Finn's attraction to her and run for her life from fae-rapists, in `Bitter Seed' she isn't so much reacting as she is acting. She is actually taking matters into her own hands and getting to the bottom of her fate. Yes! This is what I wanted from our girl Genny! She is somewhat pushed into action by a trip to `Disney Heaven' and a psychotic fae-child, but still - it's nice to see our heroine sit up and take control of her fate.

This book also marks a new transition in Genny's love life. Finn is getting antsy and clearly wants to start something with Genny . . . but she is still struggling with her attraction to the devilishly delicious vampire, Malik Al Khan. I loved the development of Genny's romances in this book - especially with Malik. We learn a bit more about him and what he has done to keep Genny safe, and I've got to say - he's now a real contender for Genny's affections. Finn is still a question-mark for me, only because he has so much to gain from getting Genny pregnant . . . but McLeod also drops a few bombshells where he's concerned, and I was thankful that so much of the book was spent developing his character in relation to Genny.

I also loved `Bitter Seed' for concentrating more on Genny's adversary, DI Helen Crane. She's such a fantastic witch-bitch; both for being Finn's (somewhat) jealous ex, but as McLeod demonstrates in this third book, Helen has many reasons to make Genny her `whipping girl'. I loved the femme-fatale tension between Helen and Genny, and I hope we haven't seen the last of Scotland Yard's finest.

One thing I always love about `Spellcrackers.com' is McLeod's London setting. She does often go for the obvious scene-setter - like using the River Thames as the final resting place of a dead girl. But she paints the London picture so well that I absolutely fall into the scene. I love the city, and McLeod's descriptions leave me yearning to revisit London town (even if her vision is scarily noir at times).

I wasn't overly thrilled with past `Spellcrackers.com' instalment . . . but `Bitter Seed of Magic' is a real crescendo in the series. There's curses to be broken, babies to make, Jack Sparrow-impersonators and a love triangle that gets heated up a notch. I can't wait for the 2012 release of `Shifting Price of Prey'!

This is the third book in the Spellcrackers.com urban fantasy series. Our MC is Ginny, a full-blooded sidhe fae who has no magic of her own, but is capable of cracking (breaking) other peoples magic.

There is a major continuation here from events in the previous books, but essentially, a fertility curse has been placed on the fae, and they have been unable to conceive any full-blooded fae children for a while. They are able to have faelings (half fae/half human). Ginny has been viewed as the hope of the fae race, and if she can conceive and carry a child to term, it is believed that the curse will be broken. There are some pretty funny moments of everyone courting Ginny, but she is really not interested in getting pregnant to break the curse.

Also, in this story, the faelings have started dying of mysterious circumstances, and Ginny is trying to help solve the case. Not to give anything away, but the central mystery turns out to be tightly intertwined with the curse and Ginny's hidden family tree.

The major things that I like about this series are that Ginny is not a powerful, kick-butt heroine, although she does have certain talents. And Suzanne McLeod has done some great world-building here, with the different races and their primary characteristics. And there are also some powerful sexy love interests!

Since both previous reviewers covered everything up neatly, I will only add this: if you want a strong, lovable and intelligent heroine in your UF books, then give this series a try; if you are looking for an interesting and ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE world building, read the "Spellcrackers" series; if you (just like me) are tired of this "I want you, so move on to the bed, lass" thing and want some heart-gripping and reasonably complicated romance line in your book - READ this series. You will not be disappointed because these books are absolutely wonderful!

(This was originally posted on Book Lovers Inc)

Warning: This is a spoiler-free review for this book. But I make some references to the previous books which can be a little bit spoilery.


The Bitter Seed of Magic is the 3rd book in the Spellcracker.com series, and it's now my favorite! I couldn't wait to start reading it when I finished the previous book. The story takes place a few months after the end of The Cold Kiss of Death. Genny's life is still very complicated. To sum it up, there is a fertility curse affecting London's Fae. Genny has to be the one breaking it or the magic will die. Also there's a killer murdering Faelings all over London. Genny think those murders are linked to the curse and starts investigating.

The obvious way for Genny to break the curse would be to get pregnant. Ah! but having a baby is not in Genny's plans. Everything gets complicated when she realized that all the Fae in London are waiting in lines to seduce her to be the potential 'daddy' lol. She has to find a way to break the Curse without getting killed in the process. And when the gods decides to enter the game, it all becomes even more deadly.

This book was fantastic. It's even better than the 2nd book. The story has so many twists and turns, it was a 'OMG'-fest in my house. (Suzanne you're still EVIL!) I just didn't see any of these events coming. Suzanne McLeod created a very fascinating and complex world. I didn't want the book to end.

We learn a lot about all our favorite characters. Of course we get to see more of Malik the smexy vampire, Finn the SexGod satyr, and Tavish the wylde fae. Tavish isn't easy to understand, there's a lot to him we don't know yet. This is not an easy book to review because saying more would spoil the story. I love how the author included different myths in her story.

I think one of the most important thing is that Genny is a great character. She is intelligent and has a big heart. She is courageous and very lovable. She's not one of those Too Stupid To Live (TSTL) heroines, she can't even be qualified as a 'kick-ass' heroine. No, Genny shines for a very different reason. I love this character and I want her to get a HEA. She deserves happiness.

Now, here is proof of the author's writing skill. I had a 'favorite' character I wanted Genny to get involved with. While reading the book, I kept changing my mind. I ended up not knowing anymore which one I wanted her to end up with. (because let's be honest I WANT her to end up with one of them *wink*). Suzanne found a way to make them all appealing in one way or another. I can't believe I'll have to wait a year to know what's coming up next. I feel like Genny with 3V (the virus she has), this series is a drug.

Fanta-bulous, that's how i'd summarize this book. The Bitter Seed of Magic is an action-packed adventure filled with twists and turns. Vampires, Fae, Witches and so much more...this books has them all. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to end and you can never guess what's going to happen next (or I don't have much imagination lol). I salute Suzanne's fertile imagination and I can only say this: Give this series a try! It's well worth your time, you won't regret it.
5 stars!

I can't believe this, the next book is out first in 2012! How on earth will I make it until then? I seriously need more Genny.

And yes there will be spoilers from previous books here.

Back to business then. Genny needs to crack a certain fertility curse so that she doesn't have to have a baby. The Fae are sending suitors to her, and I must say that I like the two in this book. Then there is the queen of the fairy lands who doesn't want her preggers. But Genny does not give up and she keeps on going and going. She is one tough Sidhe.

As usual there are lots of things going on. Trying to break the curse, finding who is killing Faelings, and as usual dealings with vampires. There is plenty of action, and I just had to keep on reading because I did not want to put the book down. I just had to know what would happen next.

The love life then, there is still Finn, but honestly, he is too nice, while I want her with Malik, who is totally wrong for her, but that man just oozes passion. And they have some serious tension going on between them. One more thing I looking forward to in the next book.

The book did manage to make me go OMG! What a moment, I did not see that coming. I wish I could tell you all, but just read the series and you will experience it.

A magical series that make me want more and more. The books keep on getting better.

Conclusion:
Just read the series :D It has so much to offer, some good old sexual tension, vampires with plans, all sorts of different Fae, London, and secrets, so many juicy secrets. Now I just have to wait one more year until the next book, I would give anything for at least a blurb.

Rating:
Awesome

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

This is a difficult book to review, if only because of the conflicting emotions it engenders. On one hand, it is wonderfully complex, with rich mythology and magical theory wrapped around an engaging mystery. On the other hand, THE BITTER SEED OF MAGIC can also be frustratingly complex, to the point where even an"after the action" recap, complete with family trees and a play by play explanation, wasn't quite enough to untangle the snarl of crisscrossing motives and lies at the end.

I'd like to think that some of that confusion would be smoothed out by reading prior books, but as McLeod did such a good job bringing me up to speed on so many other aspects of this intricate world, I don't think it's entirely accurate to assume that the plot itself wasn't expected to stand without the support of the rest of the series. I did some flipping back and re-reading, which detracted a bit from the ending, but still enjoyed the bulk of the book. Though the fertility curse complicates Genny's relationship with the men in her life, the end of this book's central mystery by no means makes Genny's troubles over.

Much like the October Daye series, reading THE BITTER SEED OF MAGIC managed to engage me in the present book while piquing my interest in the backstory that brought Genny and all of her delicious, dangerous men to the present day stand-off. I'm willing to risk a little plot frustration to enjoy more of this world building. Be warned, however, that though not graphic, some of McLeod's older Fae and vampires have a distinctly "Greek mythology" morality, particularly as it relates to consent and incest. For immortal races it made sense, but there were still a few "record scratch" moments when the ages and inter-relationships of certain pairings became clear. That was ultimately what lowered this review from Four Bats to Three, because though I thought McLeod entirely pulled it off, the subject may be a deal-breaker for some.

Sexual Content: Kissing, references to sex, rape, and incest.

Up until this point, reading Suzanne McLeod's Spellcrackers series has often been an exercise in frustration. The novels were frequently confusing, but were well-written enough that I couldn't dismiss them and always felt there was huge potential for the series. With book three, The Bitter Seed of Magic, McLeod finally strikes the right balance between clarity and obfuscation.

The Bitter Seed of Magic focuses on the curse laid on the lesser fae of London by the sidhe queen Cliona. The curse is introduced earlier in the series, but McLeod recaps it in the prologue, a refresher for which I was grateful. Among other things, it has blighted the lesser fae's fertility, which causes problems for Genny Taylor as the various fae races see her -- specifically, impregnating her -- as the key to saving their people. The other main plot thread, though the two are linked, is a series of murders of female lesser fae. Genny investigates these crimes and learns more about the messy history of Cliona's family tree and how it relates to the curse.

I was briefly worried that this book would be confusing too, especially since the fae and the vampires often give Genny cryptic information instead of straight answers, but as I mentioned above, this time the balance is right. The Bitter Seed of Magic is mysterious without being confusing. I didn't always know how the pieces fit together, but I always felt confident that they belonged to the same puzzle. Heck, I feel like the first two books make more sense now too, after finishing this one.

Also especially satisfying is Genny's character growth. In this installment, she grows a stronger spine against the powerful vampires and fae who seek to manipulate her, striking hard bargains to give her leverage against them. I also love her determination to not let magical forces control her sex life. Her emotional reactions to revelations about her personal history are compelling. And the ending is fantastic, bringing a touch of lightness into the dark world of Spellcrackers and dealing with the fertility issue in a refreshingly non-cliché manner.

I was worried about The Bitter Seed of Magic, but ended up really enjoying it. I look forward to The Shifting Price of Prey, scheduled for US release in June 2012.

In London, with the witches deciding she is no longer a person of interest, Sidhe Genny Taylor welcomes a brief respite after recent harrowing events (see the Spellcrackers saga - The Sweet Scent of Blood and The Cold Kiss of Death). However, her R&R time ends rather quickly as the body of a dead faeling is taken out of the Thames; the cause of death is related to the Curse. Everyone knows that any curse is a bad thing especially to the recipients, but this one is horrific as the lesser fae become barren; losing their fertility means that magic will die along with the endangered species.

Genny is the focus of this insidious Curse. She contains the means to end the wicked Curse by becoming pregnant. The number of fae willing to do the deed could fill Wembley Stadium. As she tries to find an alternate way to prevent another victim of the Curse, the raging Gods intervene.

The third Spellcrackers urban fantasy is a terrific twisting thriller as Genny learns the roots of evil. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the faeling is found dead and never slows down as the beleaguered Sidhe heroine has run out of time to save several fae species from extinction.

Harriet Klausner