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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Series Still Going Strong With Book Four, April 23, 2002
A word to the wise - it's best to read this series in sequence because each book builds upon the other. You could probably read it in a piecemeal fashion, but I don't think that it would have the same impact, because both the characters and the world of Eldh are evolving as the series goes on. This book is setting the stage for the upcoming battle for control of Eldh, revealing the main players and getting the pieces into place. This book picks up the story after the catastrophe at the Etherion. The cast of characters has been split into two groups: Travis, Durge, Sareth and Lirith have traveled back in time to Castle City Colorado on Earth in 1883, while Grace, Falken, Ayrn, Beltan, Melia, and Vani have remained in the city of Tarras in present-day Eldh. The two main subplots are concerned with getting the Earth-bound travelers back to Eldh, while the group on Eldh are trying to get to Toringarth to get the pieces of the only weapon that will prevent the Pale King from taking over the Dominions. Needless to say, this is an extreme simplification of the plot. The group on Earth has to deal with a rogue sorcerer, a vigilante group, corruption, the arrival of Jack Graystone, racial prejudice, and the sheer problem of staying alive. The group on Eldh has to face the resurgent Raven cult, the announcement of Aryn's betrothal (to her surprise), their pursuit by the Onyx Knights, the mystery of Toringarth, and the secret of Eversea. Whew! The interpersonal relationships are developed further - the bittersweet love between Sareth and Lirith, and the dilemma faced by Beltan and Vani. Ayrn is forced to face the results of her past actions, and her response determines the course of her future. Grace is still slowly rediscovering her emotional responses after facing the horrifying memories of her childhood, and is allowing herself to open to others. Sides are taken by the Witches and the Warriors of Vathris regarding the foretold coming of the Runebreaker, resulting in conflicting feelings in their individual members. I am truly enjoying this series. The characters are complex, distinctive and plentiful. Since the characters are constantly traveling, the world of Eldh is being fully explored, including its various ethnic groups and belief systems. I like the interplay with Earth and Eldh, with their similarities and differences, and the bond between the two universes that is gradually getting tighter and tighter. I will definitely be getting whatever further books are issued in this series.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fantasy with a Western inside, February 26, 2004
I enjoy Westerns, and the Blood of Mystery has a nice, traditional one right inside it! Sherriffs, gunshooters, and fallen women with hearts of gold--everything you could ask for, including bad guys in black. As mentioned so many times about this series, not very original, but somehow, engaging all the same. The lead character Travis, has transformed into a completely different person from the first book--both physically and mentally. He is growing up, which is a good thing, because he acted like a teenager, even though he's in his thirties. That was a jarring flaw in the first book, that this grown man was so childish and passive, so his rapid maturation is a good development. The female lead, Grace, is a boring ice princess, but her slightly clinical point of view is actually a good way to observe the sometimes chaotic action that takes place. The switching from world to world, and inconsistent and insufficiently explained magic can be a bit exhausting at times. I also fail to see why the character, Sareth, had to be such a pathetic victim throughout the book. The only man of color in the book, and he's USELESS. (Nothing like his sister, Vani, who is very much like a female superhero, with her black leather garb and vanishing act.) Despite it's flaws, this book, and the series are a lot of fun.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The set up to a big blow-out in book 5..., August 5, 2002
This book is pretty good. I thought the characters advanced a lot in this book, as well as got more interesting. However, if you are looking for BIG action, this isn't the book in the series for it. There is lots of action in this book, but the final blow-out has been saved for its own book. Basically, the main characters are split into two groups--the group in present-day Eldh and the group in 1883 Colorado. The Colorado group has to deal with fitting into the society and waiting for Jack to show up. Interestingly enough, they have to deal with a vigilante group called the Crusade of Purity. That could lead the reader to some conclusions between the book and a commentary on real life. The group on Eldh splits when Aryn has to go home to meet her future husband & takes Melia with her. However, this is ok, because she ends up facing up to her past actions that she thought were justified, and becomes stronger in her Craft. The other group is trying to find Grace's sword and make it to the black tower. Along the way, they meet some VERY interesting people.... By the end of the book, everything is in place for the beginning of book 5. I can't wait.
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