Customer Reviews

The Night Bird (Lost Continent)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Night Bird continues the saga of the Kingdoms of the Lost Continent. If you have read the other books in the series, the pattern will not surprise you- mage capable heroine with alpha male warrior hunk. Overall a light and pleasant read. It was also nice to see almost all the characters from the previous novels here. I liked our intrepid heroine Allegra, and although there is nothing earth shattering about her love story with Markus, it made for a quick and engrossing read. The ending brought several lose ends together and left the way open for more books in this world to come- likely the story of Ozarson.

It is not absolutely mandatory to have read the other novels in this series, but I think the continual references to the previous events from the preceding books, may not make as much sense without some background. Also the link between geometric shapes and colored mage abilities might seem a little confusing without the explanations from the previous novels. Still this could be read as a stand alone.

If you want to read the other books set in this world then they are:
Charmed Sphere (story of Chime and Muller)
Misted Cliffs (story of Mel and Cobalt)
Dawnstar (story of Mel and Cobalt with Jade and Drummer)
Fire Opal (story of Ginger Sun and Baz)

Also there are two short stories:
Moonglow (Iris and Jarid) from Charmed Destinies anthology
Topaz Desert (Tanzi) from Lace and Blade Anthology

I think this book had potential. The idea was good but in the end like a few others I just couldn't believe it. Imagine if you will being a young woman, kidnapped from your own country while on your way to a mage guild to study, auctioned off to the highest bidder as a sex slave and taken away from everything you know. This plot has potential to be a gripping tale but so many times when Asaro could have taken her characters into a great story she went down a disappointing path. Markus I think was supposed to somehow be nice but he still had no qualms about buying a sex slave that he and his "general" requested be looked for and captured so they can buy her. Yeah ...real dreamy. Then of course he doesn't want to have sex with her without her consent cause he's such a romantic...so naturally he waits till she falls asleep the first night. Because we all know if she's unconscious it isn't saying "no." Wow, what a great guy. Does he hit her? Yes but only twice with a belt, really hard, but it was on her rear. That's not bad is it? He does parade her around half naked every chance he gets in front of his men who all want to beat and rape her especially his general, which is odd since all other women in that culture we come across are mostly covered up. But hey he's a complicated guy right? I mean he did have a sexual love affair with one of his male army commanders. I think this is supposed to illustrate his sensitive side. Are you girls falling head over heals yet? Well you should because you better believe that after he took her virginity away while she slept, spanked her as hard as he could and paraded her around for like two or three days she willingly had sex with him again cause well ...she was falling in love with him. I mean who wouldn't! Did I mention she agreed (i use the term agreed here loosely) to marry him at this point? Dream come true! I mean ...really? I was prepared for their "love' to grow in time but ...after two days and all of like five "conversations" she's falling for the guy? Yeah what girl kidnapped and raped wouldn't be ready to fall in love? Who knew Stockholm syndrome took hold so fast. I really just don't know where the "love" came in or the affection. The fact that he never acknowledges the fact that he had her stolen or that he knew it was illegal even though EVERYONE knows it... is one of the most irritating points. I mean I could respect him a little if he said at some point "you know what? they DID steal you, and I DID know about it and I can see it being wrong but that's all we know and i'm sorry for taking you away from your life" but he refuses to even acknowledge that she was taken from within her own country let alone that he enslaved her illegally. After 12 days (yes days) of this kind of romantic atmosphere she runs off with Markus' little brother, the heir to the thrown he and his men are trying to win back. This was my favorite part of the story. But she does this feeling conflicted because of her love for Markus...yes after 12 days. The story gets kind of good with all the matters of state when she runs to her land to warn her king of her husband and his general's plans but it isn't long before she falls back into the hands of her husband's general (yes the same scum bag that tortured ginger-sun from The Fire Opal) and of course he beats the hell out of Allegra for over an hour till he collapses from exhaustion. He planned for 16 hours but she escapes before that, lucky girl that she is. When she gets back and Markus learns of this he wants to kill his general but he QUICKLY gets over that and refuses to do anything against his pal. I mean...he's such a good general Markus argues to Allegra. At this point I too wished Cobalt would execute Markus because Allegra was clearly the stupidest heroine I've ever read about. Not only did i lose respect for Markus at this point but also for her. The story goes on mainly setting up a future story about the boy king and ends "well" with her and Markus living as prisoners of state in Taka Mal and Markus agrees to give this "marriage thing" a try. The end.

It should first be mentioned that this book is part of the Lost Continent-series. The other titles are: Moonglow (in the anthology 'Charmed destinies'), The Charmed Sphere, The Misted Cliffs, The Dawn Star, The Topaz Desert (in the anthology 'Lace and Blade 1') and Fire Opal. The book can be read on its own, but I would recommend reading the rest of the series first.

In Jazid, women have always been treated like animals and property, which led to higher mortality rates among female children, women escaping the country and no female settlers coming to take their place. By now there are far more men than women so some tribes from Jazid abduct women from other countries and sell them in Jazid. One of the victims of this practice is Allegra, a young mage. Kidnapped, mistreated and finally sold to the leader of the resistance against King Cobalt, who recently conquered Jazid, her situation is truly frightening. Her owner, Markus Onyx, could do anything to her, but instead he shows more kindness than could be expected from a Jazidian man and warlord. But other members in the resistance think he's far too lenient and would love nothing more than to get their hands on Allegra to teach her the respect and submissiveness she refuses to show. In this humiliating and dangerous situation, Allegra finds out about the plans of the resistance to conquer Taka Mal and kill the royal family. She knows she's the only one who can save them. But to do this, she will have to escape the resistance and Markus, whom she has begun to care about. Her only hope are her as yet undeveloped magical abilities...

Like the rest of the series, this is a well-written novel with interesting characters, a fascinating world, a suspenseful plot and many beautiful and original ideas. I enjoyed it very much, but it should also be mentioned that is relatively dark because the situation of women in Jazid and Allegra's fate in particular are highly unpleasant. Still, the book easily earns 5 stars and the whole series is worth buying in my opinion.
For those who feel this is a terrible book about a woman falling in love with her rapist: I think it should be allowed to explore what happens in restrictive cultures where women have no or few rights - there were and still are enough of those in real life. The novel makes it very clear that Markus is very far from a romantic love interest in many ways, but that he is a product of his culture - which he learns to overcome. So this book isn't a sweet romance novel, but it has much more depth and gave me a lot to think about. The process in which both Allegra and Markus have to learn about each other, their respective cultures and how to make a life together despite their differences is worth much more to me than another sugared romance. So thumbs up to Catherine Asaro - I wish there were more courageous writers like her.

Night Bird (2008) is the fifth fantasy novel in the Lost Continent series, following The Fire Opal. In the previous volume, Ginger-Sun found a badly injured man on the temple grounds and nursed him to health. Then his friends located him and helped Ginger escape from her village. Eventually, Ginger discovered that Darz Goldstone was an alias for the cousin of Vizarana Jade, the queen of Taka Mal.

Cobalt Chamberlight -- the Midnight Emperor -- already ruled the Misted Cliffs by inheritance and the countries of Blueshire and Shazire by right of conquest. Then he conquered Jazid. These nations now comprised the Dawnstar Empire.

Vizarana almost lost Taka Mal to Cobalt. Only a treaty with Aronsdale protected Taka Mal from becoming part of the Empire. But Aronsdale and Harsdown are themselves allied with the Empire by family and marriage.

In this novel, Allegra Linseed is a dairymaid at her parents' farm in Aronsdale. She has been selected to study at the Song Weavers Guild, but she feels that she is too young. Two years later, she is on her way to the guildhouse.

Prince Regent Marcus Onyx is the elder half-brother of Atajazid D'Az Ozarson Onyx. Cobalt thinks that all the sons of Ozar Onyx are dead. He also believes that the Jazid still owe their loyalty to himself as the occupant of the Onyx throne. Yet the Jazids are really loyal to the sons of Ozar.

In this story, Allegra's journey is interrupted by Jazid slavers within Aronsdale. She is taken to a tribal encampment in Jazid. There she is cleaned and dressed appropriately for a pleasure slave and then presented to two potentials buyers.

Prince Marcus has commissioned the slavers to abduct an Aronsdale woman. He is the principal bidder. Marcus has invited General Dusk Targazon to participate in the bidding.

Being the person she is, Allegra refuses to be treated as a slave. Despite the threats from the Prince Regnant and the General, she responds with cutting remarks. She is mauled somewhat by the General, but the Prince Regnant discourages his blows.

Then Allegra is removed from the tent. Later she is told that Marcus has outbid Targazon and now owns her. She has a few things to say about that idea.

The Prince Regnant and the General depart from the tribal camp and journey on to their hidden camp. Marcus and his men are outlaws within their own country, with a price on their heads from Cobalt, the nominal ruler of Jazid.

This tale is very similar to The Misted Cliffs in its plot. The young mage and the Jazid prince become lovers, but are not certain about their love. As usually happens, they have numerous cultural differences that cause conflicts and misunderstandings. Then Allegra escapes and Marcus come after her.

This story almost supports the effectiveness of lust in resolving personal and cultural conflicts. One wonders how many teenagers will get the message that sex -- and maybe a baby -- will solve all problems with their boyfriends. Lust is highly overrated in that regard, as witness the number of boyfriends who abandon their lovers and their children. Remember, Allegra and Marcus have more than lust going for them.

Unfortunately, the Misted Cliffs and Jazid have patriarchal cultures, so a macho approach is to be expected. Luckily, the other volumes have different backgrounds -- including the almost matriarchal Aronsdale -- that provide a more equal balance between the sexes.

The Misted Cliffs is gradually becoming more egalitarian and Taka Mal has developed to the point that they now accept a queen. Since Jazid used to be much the same as Taka Mal, one would hope that Jazid would follow their example. Maybe within a few centuries?

The story involves Allegra in a perpetual conflict with Marcus over Jazid customs. Luckily, Marcus is exceedingly tolerant for his culture. Moreover, he is so besotted with Allegra that he believes that she has enchanted him. Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Asaro fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of cultural conflicts, intelligent compromises, and true romance. For anyone who has not previously read in this series, the first volume is The Charmed Sphere.

-Arthur W. Jordin

ugh. Catherine Asaro - I love everything you've ever written until this one. A classic case of stockholm syndrome. It would have been better if our "hero" was not a rapist who surrounds himself with dispicable people. I hated him from the beginning, and he didn't redeem himself.

It's hard to find well-written fantasy that isn't focused on wars or dark, negative things. This is one of those rare gems. Most writers of this genre hold the reader's interest through fear of violence to the protagonist or destruction without carrying the plot too far beyond that. Some writers can't make the world they create seem real or believable enough to keep you reading. But this is a finely crafted work that holds your interest with fascinating characters living in a realm that come alive as the suspenseful plot keeps you constantly engaged and wondering. Some of the best work of this genre.

I don't think this was the best book in the series. But it leaves some doors open . So I hope Asario will continue with better personalities. It was entertaining.

I read and admire Catherine Asaro and my comments are based on her established standards. If 'the Night Bird' was written by a new author i would be thinking of great potential from that person. That is not the case and i found the story bland and shallow, as if it was a draft awaiting a stronger characterisation during further development. i will continue to buy Catherine Asaro, because i think this was the exception to her rule.

I would not say that this book has any lasting literary value, but it was a pleasurable way to spend an afternoon. I enjoyed the change in perspective, and was as interested in how Asaro resolved the plot arching (the conflict between the royal families) through the series as the standalone romance of this book.

The interactions between the two main characters are not what I would consider realistic, but this is a romantic fantasy after all. I felt that Asaro did a good enough job developing their characters that it didn't seem too contrived.

I would not recommend this book to a feminist. Also, be aware that there are parts of the book that are sexually explicit.

This is the 5th book in the Lost Continent series, but can be read on its own (as I did). There was only about 1 page of discussing the lineages of the royal houses that lost me, but otherwise, there was both very little recapping exposition and building on unfamiliar events so that I didn't feel like I was dropped in the middle of a series (although the hints were intriguing enough that I really want to read the other books).

It's fairly formulaic romantic fantasy, but written with Asaro's deftly hand, and quite absorbing as a result. A young girl is kidnapped and sold as a pleasure slave to a barbarian warlord, who, despite living in a country that officially values women somewhere between pigs and horses, is a decent person inside. I liked the main heroine, Allegra - she struck a good balance between innocence and vulnerability, and being quick-thinking and capable. I also felt for her dark amour - Markus. The controversy of having Allegra fall for her captor didn't bother me; in real life too, we fall in love despite ourself, and Allegra never lost the view of what's important or compromised herself.

Also interesting was the actual plot that develops 1/3rd of the way into the book. Jazid, the desert country where Allegra is kept captive is under the the rule of a conquering emperor, but maintains a 9-your old king and his rebel army in hiding. Allegra learns of the army's plans, and must escape to warn someone. More compexities are revealed as the book goes along - hints of how the magic works, relations between different kingdoms and their rulers.

I didn't expect to like this book, and it was quite a pleasant surprise.