Customer Reviews

Cauldron of Iniquity (Cloak and Dagger)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, Jen and Thib continue their pre-graduation assignments with a body guarding job in an environment of "total" corruption that reads rather tamely. Aunt Vera and Absalom are working on the same problem from another angle and all four assassins unite to find and eliminate the master drug lord. We see a lot more of Vera's past, although Absalom remains a mystery. Thib is growing in confidence and skills, while Jen learns a lesson the hard way. I would suggest to the author that she had better improve Jen quickly, if she intends to complete the Jen/Thib relationship. Thib is starting to recognize himself and his talents...Jen hasn't got much more than her good looks and her reflexes going for her. Not as good as the last entry in this series but still an interesting read.

I think this is my favorite "Cloak and Dagger" book so far. The writing style is definitely maturing. The plot is pretty tight, the characters are fun and the relationships are very well done. I enjoyed it and I look forward to future books about Jen and Thib!

I really like this book, I just wish the series would continue. It's been ten years since Cauldron of Iniquity left its readers wondering what would come next for Jen and Thib. Will their relationship progress? Will Thib be promoted away from Jen? Will they encounter the corrupt mage that raped Jen, later in the series? This series is that rare thing we call a unique and original idea, but it has barely reached its climax, suggesting more volumes ahead. What has become of the Author? Why haven't more books been released? Did her ideas run out? Did her money run out? Has something unfortunate happened to her, such as death? Did she tire of her characters? Did her life become too busy to permit her time to write another novel? Did she do something uninspiring such as ditching her genre for something square, like sacrificing her career for Jesus or World of Warcraft? For all appearances, she has quit while she was ahead, which is tragic because these three novels kicked off what could have been a spectacular series, written by a truly talented author.

Convention in SFF means elves, trolls, lawful good vs chaotic evil etc. Groell is unconventional and this is a Good Thing. Ever thought what most fantasy lands would be like if people actually had to *live* there? To earn a crust? To survive, move up (or down) in the world? How magic would affect this and be affected by it? If so, this is the series for you. With intelligently-written prose, mesmerising scenery and excellent characterisation, Groell weaves tales that feel true-to-life, are entertaining, charming and endearing. Her books are great food for thought. Cauldron is fun time well-spent.

I love this series. I do. It's new and refreshing, not the same old elf/unicorn/princess in distress motif. Her ideas are original, as are her scenes and especially her use of magic. Vera and Absolam are such fun, dynamic people while it is so fun seeing Jen and Thibault develop as a pair. I loved it!

Bravo! This series keeps getting better and better! Cauldron contains great action scenes and explores the increasingly complex relationship between the Cloak and the Dagger. I'd love to see Cauldron made into a movie. Meanwhile, I'll wait eagerly for the next book in this highy entertaining series!

Anne Groell does something with The Cloak and Dagger the majority of other fantasy series don't: she keeps the story moving and grows the charaters in a way that the reader continues to care what happens on the next page and in the next book. I can't wait to see what she has in store for Thibault and Jennifleur after what she put them through in Cauldron of Iniquity.

Although it's set in a fantasy world, 'Cauldron..' is more romance than fantasy. Everything is secondary to the relationship between the main characters. Don't pick this up if you're looking for fantasy.

The dialogue is stilted, the plot is paper thin and the characters are by and large cardboard cutouts (Only Aubrey can be considered a complete character. He agonizes over right and wrong. The other characters are either completely moral or the exact opposite.)

In her defense, Ms. Groell has created two intriguing lead characters. Intriguing enough that I'm likely to overlook any technical deficiencies and give another one of her novels a shot.

The short biography of Groell mentions that she is an editor, proving once again that it's not how good a writer you are, but who you know.

I have really enjoyed reading the other two books in this series. This book fell just a little short of my expectations though. While i found it to be entertaining, it lacked action.

However, it was nice to see Thibalt beginning to emerge from his love-sick follower role. Personally, I'm glad to see him start to become his own person, cause frankly Jen is starting to get real b**chy.

All in all, pretty good. I look forward to the next one.

Jenifleur and Thibault, Dagger and Cloak. Best friends, confidants, perhaps more. Working together to expose those who deal in human desires and frailties.

In a land peopled with mages and wizards, thieves and assassins, two young people grow up very fast as they learn to meet the world on its own terms and forge a partnership that goes far beyond the bounds of trust, or pleasure, or shared pain.

Anne Lesley Groell has created a winning pair of roguish assassins in Jen and Thib. Competent, fearless, but at the same time innocent, these two will capture the reader,s heart long before they manage to thwart the villains. This is the third book of the Cloak and Dagger series, although it,s the first one I,ve read. I plan to grab the others immediately. If Ms. Groell is smart, she is planning more and more adventures for this lovable and worthy pair.

Rickey R. Mallory