Customer Reviews

And Less Than Kind (The Doubled Edge, Book 4)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Double Edge series is a captivating blend of history and high fantasy. Books 1 through 3 had excellent character development, captivating story lines, and weaving patterns of intrigue that kept the reader engaged.
Book 4 has been a disappointment, lacking the luster, quick timing, and character interaction of the first three. The reader finds themselves drudging through page after page of pointless environmental descriptions with little charcter emotion portrayed. I am hoping this volume is just a bump in the road to a more dynamic series finish.
If you love Historical Biographies, this series could be for you. Liven up your history a little by weaving it with a Fairy Tale.

Well... this is another hit as long as it's not the last one in this series. It's another fantastic addition to the series, more explanations of how the Sidhe affected the life of Elizabeth, keeping her safe (and sane!). I love how well these authors have followed actual history, and then given explanations for the most confusing/strange parts of the true history... it was all because of the interferences of the Sidhe! Somehow, it seems truly believable, especially when you consider the pressures on Elizabeth, that she would have extra outside help to keep her on the path towards the crown... because reality without the Sidhe almost seems more fantastical!

I enjoy this series so much, I really hope this is not the last book! If it is, then the end is WAY too rushed, there are far too many loose ends, and what should have been a grand finale is squeezed into too few paragraphs. I'm very much hoping for one last book to the series, because while this is a great book in its own right, and a great addition to the series, the end of it is NOT a good finale. If it turns out this IS the last book in the series, then I'll have to come back to this review and knock it down a star... which would really be awful because I ADORE this series!

This wraps up the series quite nicely. It did leave me wondering what the two authors would have come up with had they chosen to continue to follow Elizabeth's life as a Queen. Who knows...maybe that is in the works.

Mercedes Lackey and Roberta Gellis have turned out another good book to read. This series involves Elisabeth I of England, and while I doubt that elves were really there, it does add to the entertainment. The authors have excelled in making the book worth collecting and reading, and rereading.

Wonderful continuation. If you have not read the history of this time in England { 1400 to 1550 } you may be interested in doing so. Lacky tells a great story with folds and twists totally entertaining.

I was very happy with this book, very good story line, stayed true to the series, a new and interesting twist to the Elizabethan legend.

Love Mercedes Lackey, thought the series was very good until the end of this book. I won't let the cat out of the bag but I was surprised at the lack of depth in the last half of the book. It felt like the authors were rushing to get it done. Still a great book and an even better series.

This is so very good. I literally couldn't put it down (which was a problem, as I brought it to work!) I truly hope Ms. Lackey and Ms. Gellis will continue this series.

And Less Than Kind (2008) is the fourth fantasy novel in the Scepter'd Isle series, following By Slanderous Tongues. In the previous volume, Piketa had addicted Llanelli once more to oleander and she had her guardians tear him to pieces. She had thought they were destroying Vidal Dhu, but then killed herself in despair when she found that Vidal was still alive.

Pasgen and Rhoslyn were deeply disturbed by their mother's death and searched for ways to hurt Vidal. Pasgen initiated audits into the illicit activities of Thomas Seymour while Rhoslyn spied on the affairs of Lady Somerset. Their efforts led to the execution of Thomas for acts of treason.

In this novel, Lady Elizabeth Tudor is second in line for the throne of England. She has been protected from infancy by the Bright Sidhe, who have seen visions of a future in which her reign will be a time of peace and great power for the Seleighe.

Lady Mary Tutor is the eldest child of Henry VIII. By Henry's will and the Act of Succession, she is first in line for the throne. She has strong negative opinions about Elizabeth.

Prince Denoriel Siencyn Macreth Silverhair has been Elizabeth's sidhe guardian from the beginning of their protection. Over the years, Denno has become white-haired and has gained facial lines from living in the mortal world. Yet he is just as beautiful as ever when he entertains Elizabeth in Underhill.

Prince Vidal Dhu is the ruler of the Dark Court. He hates Elizabeth and wants her dead. Still, Oberon has forbidden anyone from taking her life. During the past four years, Vidal has been a prisoner of the living mist in the Unformed Lands.

Princess Aleneil Arwyddion Ysfael Silverhair is Denoriel's twin sister. She is also a talented FarSeer. She and others had foreseen the benefits of Elizabeth's benevolent rule. Lately she has been one of Elizabeth's household.

Pasgen and Rhoslyn are also twins and half-siblings of Denoriel and Aleneil. They have been members of the Dark Court, but Pasgen broke away after Vidal Dhu returned. Then both Pasgen and Rhoslyn became allies of Elizabeth. For two decades, Rhoslyn has been protecting Lady Mary and reporting on her behavior to Denoriel.

In this story, Vidal Dhu finally learns to control his temper and the mist lets him slip out of his bounds. He returns to the Dark Court with the same objectives, but more patience. He is even more deadly than before.

Dakari is a Dark Sidhe, but has little power and even less influence. He has been spying for Vidal Dhu on the Seleighe efforts to cleanse the Evil from the Alhambra realm. When the Bright Sidhe contain the Evil with silver and iron and then leave the realm, he reports the situation to his lord. He is sent back to remove the tokens and recruit the Evil. Instead, the Evil possesses Dakari.

King Edward is dying, but Elizabeth cannot get permission to visit him. Northumberland is trying to keep Elizabeth away from the court. She really wants to see Edward before he dies, but her own advisors are recommending that she stay away from London.

Since Mary is the next in line to become ruler of England, Elizabeth supports her succession to the throne. When Northumberland tries to disinherit both women, Elizabeth supports Mary. After word of Edward's death reaches the sisters, Elizabeth declares Mary is the Queen and helps drive Northumberland from the court.

When Mary is crowned as Queen, Elizabeth continues to support her sister, even after the Queen replaces her ladies and gentlemen with those of the Catholic rites. Mary slights Elizabeth several times and never loses her belief in Elizabeth's illegitimacy. Yet Elizabeth is determined to outlive Mary and take the throne only after her death.

Meanwhile, Vidal Dhu is still trying to kill Elizabeth. So are others within the English court and elsewhere. And then there are the fat sidhe and his Dark Sidhe companion.

The guardians of Elizabeth and Mary are kept busy protecting them from plots and misadventures. Denoriel is a regular visitor of Elizabeth except while she is living at court. Aleneil is among her handmaidens. Rhoslyn becomes Mary's favorite maid of honor. Pasgen is mostly searching for the missing Evil, but he spends some time impersonating one of Mary's guards during the day.

This tale describes the riots and rebellions among the English subjects over Mary's determination to bring back the Catholic rites and submit the English throne to the edicts of the Papacy. Every act against Mary brings accusations that Elizabeth has committed treason. Elizabeth even asks for a trial, but Mary's ministers are persuaded that English juries would not find her guilty without solid proof.

This is the most risky time for Elizabeth. Although still remembering the kindness of the younger sister, Mary is thoroughly convinced that Elizabeth is a threat to her own reign. Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Lackey & Gellis fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of early England, internal and foreign intrigue, and a very determined princess.

-Arthur W. Jordin

This book added little to the fantasy re-envisioning of Elizabeth's ascension to the throne. Both authors could have brought more to the table; I'm unsure as to whether I will put the effort into the inevitable sequel.