2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A little too busy (as will be this review)..., September 25, 2008
To be brutally honest, Keepers of the Flame is not one of my favorites in this series. Although I would give it only 3 stars in regard to the others in this series, 4 stars is the very least I can give it simply because, compared to other novels by other authors in this genre, it deserves that much consideration.
In this story, the summoning, on behalf of the townspeople of Castleton, brings twin women (Bri and Elizabeth) who are healers. One twin is a certified doctor, the other a more magical "healing hands, new age" guru. They are needed because The Dark has let loose a plague that needs to be cured or all will sicken and die. With very little imagination we know that the magical 'hands on' cure will be the most effective, but for some reason the twin with the more traditional training is accepted and respected (even though traditional methods have already been tried and failed). The metaphysical twin is pretty much dismissed as a bit of a flake, even though her methods obviously work.
To add confusion, a third exotic (Raine) has been unknowingly summoned by the Sea Masters. No one knows she even exists on Amee. Her sad story flits in and out with little warning between chapters. For six months she has been facing a strange new world, forced to work as an abused kitchen slave, physically abused and beaten, chased by bad guys, sells her body for food, and sickens when she tries to travel more than a short distance from the sea. We are left hanging with her fate in the balance. Adding her unfinished story to the twists and turns of this novel creates an unnecessary mish-mash of continuity.
Two love interests are explored with Servair Masif (the town mayor) and our old standby, Faucon Creusse (the one who is naturally attracted to all exotics, but is always disappointed). Not too difficult to figure out who will win or lose in this repetitive contest, but the romance with both men is interesting and sensual.
My biggest concern as this series progresses is that each woman summoned seems to be getting less and less mature. The twins are whining "I wanna go home, mommy and daddy will be so worried!" Marion sobs when she says the wrong things ("I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, I'm so, so sorry!"). Alexa keeps trying to wheedle chocolate and potatoes from the twins like a kid hoping for a forbidden treat.
In short, these powerful women are becoming girls, and edging towards childhood. Their men, happily, are still sturdy and reliable.
Injury and deaths of old favorites, new magical companions are introduced for the twins (a Roc for Bri, a Volaran for Elizabeth, a baby feycoocus for Raine), Amee is suffering from the attacks of The Dark and becoming unstable as a planet, magical new efforts to keep in touch with Terre are explored.
Despite my many (and probably too harsh) criticisms, this newest effort is very readable and has a tremendous amount of information needed to keep up with the overall series. I enjoyed much of it, and I consider it a Kindle keeper.
[
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3.5 stars, June 27, 2008
This review is from: Keepers of the Flame (The Summoning, Book 4) (Paperback)
Bri and Elizabeth are twins with healing powers in their hands. Unusual for a Summoning, but they both get pulled through. The world of Amee is in need of healers after a strange sickness has invaded their lands. (Like they don't have enough trouble with all the strange monsters coming through!) The sisters are immediately shown a dying three year old, in which they prove their worth by healing her by simply laying hands upon her. Now they have a job to do and must complete it before they are allowed to go through the Snap that allows them to choose to go home again to their family. They must find the cure for the sickness.
I really have enjoyed the Protector series thus far, but I have problems with this one. First, I really, really disliked the characters. The twins are completely selfish--which totally contradicts their personalities as healers. Strange enough (illogical, really), the twins are transported with two bags of potatoes, chocolate candy, and a chocolate cake. Hmmm, I seem to remember previous protectors missing French fries and chocolate--how convenient. Yet they go into overdrive protecting their "possessions" from the other protectors. Even when the other girls from Earth bend over backwards to help them the twins are abrasive, demanding, and closed-fist.
The worst was Elizabeth. Elizabeth is stuck-up and selfish. This becomes especially obvious in the end when (WARNING: SPOILER) she decides that the man she had been sleeping with and leading on was just a rebound guy--then dumps him without a second thought to return to Earth. Even after this guy had provided for her, stood by her, protected her, adored her.... EWW, this makes me soo mad just thinking about it I could spit.
My second problem with the book was there was no flow and it felt as though Owen was trying to cover two stories within one book at the sacrifice of the characters. You see, this book doesn't just cover the summoning of the twins but of a third summoning, also. One that does not get resolved in this book.
Overall, I still like the world created and I've enjoyed the previous three novels. According to the excerpt at the end there will be only one more novel to complete this series that will come out in 2009 and I plan to read the ending. I'm hoping that she will have something good to say about the future of Faucon, Koz, and Luthan.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Keepers of the Flame on the keeper shelf, January 27, 2008
This review is from: Keepers of the Flame (The Summoning, Book 4) (Paperback)
Keepers of Flame is a continuation of a series. If you like modern fantasy then you will enjoy this one. Two strong females are transported to an alternate universe to join the fight against the encroaching evil. I can't wait for the conclusion
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
