Customer Reviews

Keepers of the Flame (The Summoning, Book 4)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.
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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.

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

Great Read, Slower than Previous, In the end seems as if Author is Hurrying the series, Otherwise good read for those who like a fantasy with some good Love story elements

Exploring Llandrana has definitely been ride, and the latest chapter with Bri and Elizabeth doesn't disappoint. There are more twists, an unexpected direction taken, some emotional moments and a new flying/riding creature. What more can a person ask for? Ms. Owens keeps her audience entertained and enthralled as usual - her character development is wonderful and her world creation is top-notch. Waiting until 2009 for the next book is going to be tough.

Just finished Keepers of the Flame ...
I laughed, I cried and was happily surprised.
This book did not feel like a cookie cutter version of the previous novels, which I appreciate. Robin D. Owens left me satisfied but at the same time feeling that 2009, when the next book is due, is as far away as magical Lladrana. I can't wait!

I was a bit disappointed after reading this book. It was not as well written as the previous ones. I couldn't really get into the characters as much either. One sister came across as extremely whiny and the other one was just blah, there was no personality. This book was also written at a much slower pace then the others. And then the ending just seemed so, so cheesy. I can only hope that the next book in the series is much better.

Keepers of the Flame
Book 4 of Exotique Summoning Series
By Robin D. Owens
Published by Luna Books (January 2008)
ISBN #978-0-373-80262-3
Trade paperback, 559 pages, $14.95

In Keepers of the Flame, Robin D. Owens, once again spins a magical tale of trans-dimensional love in this fourth entry of her Exotique Summoning Series. The sorcerers of Llandra have already Summoned three women to help their fight against the Dark, the evil attacking their world. They gather for a fourth Summoning, and to their surprise, they summon not one woman, but two. Twins. Both twins have a magical gift to heal, but while one pursued a traditional medicine education, the other travelled the world and learned "new age" techniques. Their diverse learning systems will serve them well, because the Dark has stepped up its attacks and brought a deadly plague to Llandra and those who protect her. These twins must risk everything to heal, and yet, as with the others before the Snap will come, a time when the women can get back to Earth. Will they chose to say in their new lives, and with their new loves, or will they return home and leave Llandra in need during its darkest hour?

The one thing I love about this series is the rich, vibrant world building. With just a few words the author paints vivid pictures. Whether she's describing the magnificent flying horses of this world, or a mischievous ex-hamster, who in Llandra is a being of great magic and power, everything is crystal clear to the reader. The characters aren't perfect. Our twin sisters have their flaws, as do all the character, and it's this humanness that really brings a touch of Earth to this alternate universe. We see ourselves in the foreign characters, and their actions are perfectly understandable.

Within this fantasy framework, the author creates a story that resonates with magic and truth. Beautifully written passages pull the reader in, and a plot that's tuned perfectly to the music and rhythms of the books makes you long to read more. Luckily, this reader won't have to wait long. The last book in the series will be out in January.

Fairly well written for this genre. I thought the first book of this series was the best and the others including this one are not as well written. Enjoyable easy reading however.

I simply love this series and because I can hardly wait for the next one, I don't like reaching the end of the current one. I really enjoyed that this one had a somewhat different approach, in that we had 3 new Exotiques show up in this book. As with the other Exotique books, I enjoyed seeing how they dealt with living on a new world, in a new culture. This series is a treasure! I recommend this book and the others that make up the series as one that has it all.