Customer Reviews

Candle in the Storm: The Shadowed Path Book 2

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

 

 

I read the first of this trilogy, and while not great, I thought it had a lot of potential. But after reading this book, I literally regret having ever started this trilogy. Never before has a book made me so incredibly angry. The third book must surely have a happier ending, but the last 35% of this book was so depressing, disappointing, and down right INFURIATING, that I doubt I will ever try to read it and find out.

After a promising start in the first book, I found myself disappointed with the second. This was mainly due to the parts with the Old Ones. To me, they did not fit in this story. Not that Old ones itself is a bad idea, but it felt like it didn't belong within this particular story. I found myself frustrated - just like Yim herself was! I found myself sympathizing with the poor girl as she tries to find answers to her questions and why she is suffering so much, though she does NOT come across as whiny. She has been through so much, and I kept hoping that by the end of this book she would have some promise for an happy life. I am sincerely hoping that the third book in this trilogy will be more definitive and conclusive than this one. I did enjoy seeing this book's connection with the previous trilogy this author wrote, however.

It was cool having mentions of Dar, though I found myself angry and annoyed with Cara. I know that the author gives his heroines hardships to make them seem stronger, but what happened to Dar's descendant just felt like overkill. I will read the third book if for no other reason than to complete Yim's story and find out what happens to her. Hopefully Mr. Howell will do better with the third book than this one.

Having followed Yim and Honus's journey in the first installment of The Shadowed Path books, A Woman Worth Ten Coppers, I'd been wondering for months if the second part of the journey would be as engrossing as the first. I was not disappointed. As you'd expect, Candle in the Storm builds on Ten Coppers' themes - and distills them into more defined villains and allies. The Book also links together all of Morgan Howell's books into one canonic universe without contrivance or recycling.

One of the best parts of this text is an increased focus on the villains of the story - including a delightfully evil new character, and considerably more examination of the Devourer's minions, goals, and history. With Karm's allies laid low at the end of the first book, a deeper look into the minds of the Devourer's armies, generals, and priests was expected - but they are presented well.

Obviously the relationship between Yim and Honus continues to be refined through the story - and we see at least one other member of Honus' order, learing more about the beleaguered situation of Karm's followers. Further exploration of the shadowed path itself binds the story together - providing key moments in Yim and Honus' interactions and key information about the devourer.

This is not to suggest that this book, which is a bridge between the first novel and the conclusion, is just more of the same or a deeper explanation of the themes of the first book. There are some VERY unexpected twists and turns here - don't assume you know what Yim's destiny is.

There are only two real criticisms - one is a literary device that was necessary for the story and while I didn't love it, it was more than made up for by the rest of the novel. The other is the cover, which doesn't really fit with the book, and which isn't for shying violets. I read this book, in part, while taking the train to and from work - it's a bit too "romance novel."

I've now read all five of Morgan Howell's books and in each case I didn't want to put them down. You won't be disappointed.

I read the 1st book to this trilogy and it was promising. This second book is so very badly done that I will not read the 3rd at all. There was no point to this second book. The plot was not well thought out and seemed thrown together. I found the whole "plot" irritating and obnoxious.

This is not a "fairy tale" kind of book. If you have read the Orc Queen Trilogy and liked it, you will not be disappointed. This author does not write happily ever after books. Its good triumphs over evil and there is always a cost for the individual.

This book is fast paced and fun to read. There are some gruesome parts, but not as bad as i thought from reading some of the other reviews.I think the only problem i had was it wasnt long enough and could have expanded on some of the extra bits, like the "old Ones" for example.

I cant wait to read the last book in this series and in fact im getting ready to do that now!

The Sarf named Honus and his Bearer, Yim, continue their journey. Lord Bahl and the Devourer's minions are building a massive army. By corrupting the hearts of peaceful people and inflaming their minds to yearn for death and destruction, evil has quickly spread throughout the lands. Followers of the goddess Karm, such as Honus and Yim, are few. Most have abandoned Karm's holy ways and turned to the Devourer, a violent god who craves only death and Yim has unwittingly captured its attention.

Yim and Honus plan to meet up with General Cronin and his sister, Cara, in Averen. As they travel, they must deal with the many dangers tossed in their path. As their feelings for each other grow, they must struggle to keep from joining. Yim is the Chosen of Karm. She is to undo a great evil by bearing a child. Yim does not know the identity of the father, but she must be a virgin when she mates with him. Being the Chosen of Karm is not the slightest bit easy ... and it is about to become a hundred times worse.

**** FOUR STARS! This episode (for lack of a better word) is even darker than the previous. Conflict is everywhere and blood flows freely. Yim's visions are depressing and all hope is beginning to fade. The author springs a few surprises and even throws in an unexpected twist or two. Needless-to-say, I loved it. The action slowed down toward the middle, but the author filled it with mystical (and mythical) creatures and some rare moments of relaxation. The story main focus is on Yim this time. Though there is one more book in this trilogy, titled The Iron Palace, I believe this episode stops at a good place. I eagerly look forward to the final story. (BTW, if you have not begun reading this title as yet, no skimming the story to learn the name of Yim's mate. No peeking!) ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Those remaining loyal to the Goddess Karm have little hope to defeat the dark forces of the Devourer. His horde led by his incantation Lord Bahl has devastated anything in their path. Despair from Averen to Vinden to Luvein and elsewhere is the norm as the Devourer's bewitched army massacres those foolish to remain loyal to Karm.

Two Karm loyalists may be the last prayer of a world facing the abyss of the apocalypse. Honus the warrior and Yim the former slave with the power to potentially defeat Bahl remain united in love for each other and for the Goddess. However, their love is shaken to the core as Yim must perform a task that she loathes doing; she questions the worthiness of their side of the deadly dispute as she loses faith in the Goddess and perhaps in Honus too.

The second Shadowed Path fantasy is a terrific middle book that builds directly from the previous tale so newcomers should first read A Woman Worth Ten Coppers. The story line is even grimmer than its predecessor as the world is on the verge of an extreme Dark Age while the lead couple is trying to prevent the sinister encroachment from occurring as they struggle internally; with their relationship being a microcosm of what is engulfing the heart and soul of humanity. On a world level and on a personal level, Candle in the Storm is a powerful quest thriller.

Harriet Klausner

I could sympathize with Yim, but she acts so stupid. The author spends too much of the novel writing from the perspective of completely distasteful and evil antagonists, to the point where the story gets lost. (What was the point of the 'Old Ones' again?) The last third of the book is both 'feel bad' and stupid; parts made me extremely frustrated with the characters and their choices.

This book is not what I look for in fantasy novels. I hated that Howell ruined "A Woman Worth Ten Coppers" with this substandard pulp.

I really enjoyed this book, but I warn you, the series is not for the squeamish people. Lots of people complained about it. So stop whining and never read it again if you hated this book. It's very dark, graphic, and not something that you pick up if you feel like a happy story. Because it's not.

I loved the plot, characters, and depth. Personally, I thought it strayed from Honus and Yim a lot to cover the villains, but it's interesting to see what the opposing side thinks. "Harry Potter" does it, and no one complains about it. Reading what the villains think makes them seem more dangerous, gruesome, and worried. At least that's my opinion.

Now, I don't like the ending. I bet none of you did. It's traumatizing, horrible, and nail-biting. I feel increasingly sorry for Yim, and i hope Morgan Howell (for once) will give his characters a happy ending. But I have a bad feeling about the next book.