Customer Reviews

A Necklace of Water (Balefire, No. 4)

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

 

 

I just can't believe this could possibly be the end! Well, it definitely went out with a bang! So, this book was mostly about Thais and Clio's battle within themselves (Will they truly become as evil as Melita?). Also it was totally about relationships, which is the part I've always loved the most, who does Clio want to be with, really? what about Thais, will she find her match? and even the other members of the Treize besides Richard and Luc, are mixed up in some relationship drama! and then you have the underlying thoughts of what could be next! i mean they already performed the Rite what could they possibly do to top that? well you'll see! This book had so many twist and turns! Thankfully some outstanding questions that were left on everyone's mind from the last three books were answered although out the book. But the ending unfortunately left me with more questions that could probably be answered in another book if only Cate would make one! maybe she could make a super edition like in the sweep series. that would be great! but i guess its up to you to decide that for yourself! go get this book, it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you talk to yourself! And it will make you happy that you own such a great book!

The great rite has been performed but it did not work the way anyone hoped that it would. But what was it supposed to do? There were many ideas as to what could be done but nothing definite about what would be done. Now that it is over some members of the Trieze have been affected, each in a different way. Some have hopes of doing the rite again. There is the question of who has tried to kill the twins. But one thing is sure, everyone still has their own plots and goals.

For the twins things are no different. Clio wants to increase her power, become immortal, and thinks that studying with Deadalus will help. Thais is against the idea as she is sure he killed their father. What Thais wants is revenge against Deadalus. Each in there own way begins to experience the dark side of magic and each approaches it differently. How they deal with their goals is a major part of the book. But in the end all the plots of all the characters come together with a number of surprises and the series winds itself up.

At the end the series is over but there is plenty of room for more books and stories. Like with the previous books, things move quickly and there are a lot of plots to consider and keep track of. But it manages to stay together and remain concise without getting lost in the confusion. A good book and a fine end to the series. Check it out.

I read the other books in the series and was waiting to see how it would end. I was a bit disappointed. This last book didn't meet my expectations compared to the other 3.
I guess I'm glad the series is done with.

This is by far the worst conclusion to a series I have ever read. The characters do things at the end of the book that don't make any sense, and none of the questions asked in the first three books are answered. Don't invest any time in this series, because you'll only be disappointed.

the book is the last in the series of Balefire. After all the built up suspense, the end was really a let-down. I suppose I expected something more dramatic, life-changing for the twins than this.

I could not find this book anywhere at a reasonable price. I was shocked when I found it under $30 and even more impressed when I received it in perfect condition.

Purely by coincidence, my 16 yr. old daughter and I read this book (and the previous three books in the series) at essentially the same time with the same reacion. I was already a fan of the "Sweep" books, and so was excited to see these "Balefire" stories become available. Both my daughter and I enjoyed the entire chain of books in this series and this proved to be a satisfying culmination (at least so far!) to the main mystery thread. We did think that it was a bit far-fetched that the two twins, having found each other, forged a sisterly connection, moved in together and pursued learning witchcraft wouldn't be more forthcoming about their "hidden" agendas, but overall, my daughter and I enjoyed the stories, and hope for more of the same from Cate Tiernan.

Before I begin this review I will clarify: I am writing this with the understanding that you have read the other three books. If you haven't, I don't expect you to glean much from what follows...

THE REVIEW:

After reading the first three books (and really loving them) I waited anxiously for the conclusion to the series... And I was extremely disappointed.

While many issues were brought to light, (Melita finally makes an appearance!) including the results of the last spell the Trieze did, I felt like the author had taken two characters that I had grown fond of and twisted their personalities to make them fit into the scenerios that she needed to include. While reading this book I lost all affection for the twins. And suddenly Thais is doing some major magic and yet we haven't seen any development of her skills since the earlier books. What? Suddenly she's Super-Witch?

And Luc? Yeeeah *such* a flake. When he finally ends up with who he ends up with I honestly didn't care. In fact, that could be considered the theme for this book: I no longer cared for the twins, their romantic entanglements, OR what happened to any of the secondary characters.

All in all it was a disappointing end to what began as a very great series.

I really enjoyed the first three books. We have a vast ensemble of characters though the stories is mainly centered on the twins--Thais and Clio. Their relationship is developing with others and we get further into the mythology of the characters and magic.

This last book left you hanging and it's not good.

But I did not like the ending and really left you hanging because there is so much more than could be told.

To be honest, this is the author's fault entirely. The series was meant to be continued, only if sales were high enough. Sadly, they weren't and so she had to wrap Balefire together in some way. This was it. If the books had sold well, then its very possible we would have had a very different ending and a continuation to what have a potentially good series.

As with Night Child, Cate Tiernan's final book was a flop. You can really get into this book about Clio and Thais finding out what they want to do with their life, but when it comes to the end.... I felt that Tiernan was just ready to wrap everything up yet leave questions in case she felt like writing a fifth book...which the fourth is suppose to be the final...