Customer Reviews

Queene of Light (Lightworld/Darkworld Novels)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(33)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

The Great Rift has relegated both faeries and demons to the Underworld - literally. Their new home is the human-built sewers and subway spaces. But even in this space, the two maintain carefully separate worlds, the Lightworld and Darkworld, with a thin border between that is home to the homeless of all races, including humans.

Ayla is a half-human, half faerie asssassin for the faerie court, bound by oath and training, and Malachi is a Death Angel, tasked with harvesting the souls of the dead. Their chance meeting and interaction from that point on have great consequences for all the denizens of the underground ways, ranging from plots to overthrow the Queene of faeries to involving the Dragons in the war between faeries and demons.

As a plot basis, the above is reasonable. But I found myself quite unimpressed with the final result, due to multiple factors. First, the romance between Ayla and Malachi has no solid grounding and very little exposition of growing attraction through interaction. To be believable, this needed much greater detailing, a more comprehensive look inside their heads and a consistent building towards their mutual attraction. Second was the Dark/Lightworld itself, as I could never get a good mental picture of it; the descriptions were too vague and concentrated on only a couple of aspects of the place, and what description there was seemed to imply that this world was very small - small enough to walk across in a day, which doesn't seem a reasonable size to host the stated multiple races. Third was the motivations of some the secondary characters, who as supposed immortals displayed a depressing venality and ambitions at odds with long life spans. The conclusion was weak and depended upon a `reveal', information hidden from the reader that shouldn't have been.

This could have been a very interesting place to visit, but as detailed here, I'm afraid I won't be coming back for any future visits.

--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

Jennifer Armintrout's "Queene of Light" is the first novel in her new "Lightworld/Darkworld" trilogy, and is set in a future where an apocalypse of literally Biblical proportions has occurred. Angels are trapped underground, as are mythical and semi-mythical creatures from the astral and ethereal planes (yes, Ms. Armintrout makes a distinction between the two, though it isn't particularly clear why from the novel as it isn't necessary to the plot in book one) such as fairies, Elves, trolls, demons and dragons. The underground -- our old subways and sewers -- has been divided into two realms, the Lightworld and the Darkworld. This doesn't exactly refer to the worth of the creatures in these two divided realms, but merely whether or not they still wish to fight the humans who live aboveground and cast them out -- the Lightworlders still want to fight, while the Darkworlders (including many magically-talented and artificially augmented humans) do not.

The book starts out promisingly with a young Assassin who's half-Fae (fairy), half-human, Ayla. Ayla has been assigned to track were-wolves and keep them out of the Lightworld and away from the Fae Court, ruled by Queen Mabb. Ayla is also the protegé of a very nasty Fae named Garret, who is the Queen's brother, and who can be quite charming when he feels like it. So when Ayla is asked to become Garret's mate, even though she feels something isn't right about Garret's request, she acquiesces -- mainly because Garret hasn't yet shown the worst aspects of his nature (which are plenty bad, as you'll see if you read this book).

But during the assignment to track and kill a were-wolf, Ayla inadvertently touches a Death Angel -- one of the Heavenly Host who was cast down when the Ethereal plane fell. This Death Angel, Malachi, harvests the souls of the dead in the hopes that eventually all will be returned to the Creator, even though his God has been lost to him. And Ayla touching him precipitates his full fall into humanity; his wings are rent by his eternal brethren, and no pity or mercy is shown. (Technically, the angels are in the Darkworld portion of the underground, because they mean the humans no ill will. Which is one clue that things are not as idyllic as Ayla believes at first.)

Malachi is befriended by Keller, an augmented and telepathically talented human. Keller makes for some much-needed comic relief, and was a very welcome addition to this book; his humanity, and his common sense, is the perfect foil for both the terribly bemused and bewildered Malachi, and the colder-than-she-wishes-to-be Ayla. How they all come together, and what Ayla's ultimate destiny is, is for you to read -- but I believe if you like fantasy with paranormal or spiritual elements, you'll enjoy this book.

With all that being said, you might be asking, "So, Barb. If you like this book so much, and gave it four stars, why did you say right off in your title that it wasn't as good as you'd hoped?" Well, this is because of two things -- and they involve some spoilers, so please look away if you don't want your reading spoiled.

**** spoiler alert below ****

Ready? (This is your last chance to look away.)

**** spoilers below ****

Anyway, there are two points that severely irritated me in this book, and as I got a completed copy (not an ARC), I am going to comment on them.

First, there are a number of typos that are inexcusable. Sometimes, Ayla's name is given as "Ayfa." And early on, perhaps on page one of this book, "whither" is used rather than the proper word, "wither." These typos require a human proofer or editor's lookover; no spell-check in the world is going to catch them. Further, it's possible that the typographers messed up (with "whither" in particular, being so early on), but once again, human intervention in the process would've fixed this.

This is not the author's fault, but it needs to be addressed by someone in authority because it is distracting; it kept throwing me out of the reader's trance, and kept me from fully being immersed in this world. I have no idea if a non-writer/editor would have picked up on this, but I do know that any reasonably well-read person will know that "whither" is out of place when you're talking about something akin to "withering on the vine." Just no excuse for that error.

Second, I was really upset at Keller's off-screen death. What was the point of this? Keller was my favorite character here, but I knew he'd not survive the book; even so, if you're going to kill him, Ms. Armintrout, do so in a way where I can grieve with Malachi. Even though you've set it up that Malachi can't grieve because of his own nature, you wrote Malachi's POV so well that I easily would've understood the grief Malachi felt in losing his first real friend, the person who explained human love to him, and who explained that love was worth fighting for even when difficult, or damned near impossible.

These two flaws -- the second far more so than the first -- are why I cannot say this is a five-star book, and one worthy of instant classic status, despite the amazing skill Ms. Armintrout has with her wordplay, her plotline, her powers of description, and her dialogue. Ms. Armintrout did an outstanding job here -- in all respects but one (and even there, it's possible she wrote the scene, but the editorial staff believed it needed to be cut for space limitations) -- and I wanted to give "Queene of Light" all the respect it deserves.

**** end spoiler discussion

The philosophical question at the heart of this book, as a few other reviewers have mentioned already, is this: if you're called Dark, are you? Even if you live in filth? And if you're called Light, are you? Even if, inside (as is the noxious Garret), you're evil and twisted and sick?

This question was treated soberly, yet in an action-packed and thoroughly unique way by "Queene of Light." Which is why I really wanted to like this book more. And though it absorbed me completely from beginning to end (minus those distracting bits of being thrown out of the reader's trance), it unfortunately falls short of the twenty or thirty very best fantasy books I've ever read.

Still. It's a good story. I plan on reading book two of this trilogy. And I admire Ms. Armintrout's skill with words.

The upshot is, I recommend this book to anyone who reads spiritually-based or paranormally-based fantasy. It's interesting, it has much to recommend it, and should find a wide audience.

Four stars. Recommended.

Barb Caffrey

Ayla is an assassin for the Faery Court of Lightworld. It is her duty to protect the innocent Fae of Lightworld, and to destroy those that may cause harm. Her most recent assignment brings her into Darkworld, the home of evil creatures and humans that were banned from the Up World. She is tracking a Werewolf, a vile creature that kills in it's wake. Ayla doesn't fear this creature, but she does fear the one that is tracking her.

Legend has it that there are Death Angels in Darkworld, powerful creatures that kill without mercy. Ayla can understand this, as it is her job to kill without missing a beat. When she realises that she is being followed by one of these Death Angels, she is ready for a fight. No one has lived to see another day after an encounter with one of these creatures, and she is determined to share her story.

Malachi is a Death Angel, and has no feelings for other creatures. It is his duty to remove creatures from the Darkworld that will cause harm to humans. When he encounters Ayla, he brings it upon himself to rid the world of the Fae creature. What he doesn't know is that Ayla is not only Fae, but half-human as well. Touching her is the end of his immortality, and now he is out for revenge.

This is the first installment in Jennifer Armintrout's new trilogy, Lightworld/Darkworld. I must say, that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was written as though it were a historical novel, which was surprising to me, although it had a few modern things about it. Armintrout's characters fight with weapons such as swords, daggers, and axes, because this is what they were able to bring with them when they were banished beneath the streets of the Up World.

Armintrout's characters are very well rounded. Throughout this novel you will learn a lot about Ayla, and how she became an assassin for the Light World. In the beginning there seemed to be some holes, but throughout the story they were filled in perfectly. I also really enjoyed Malachi's character. He was new, and fresh to the mortal world, and we got to experience it all through his eyes.

I have read Jennifer Armintrout's first series, Blood Ties, and enjoyed it very much. I honestly can say that after reading the first book in this new trilogy, it is my new favorite work of hers. I'm thrilled that she decided to write about creatures other than Vampires, because she has done a wonderful job of it. I can't wait to read the final two books in this series, Child of Darkness and Veil of Shadows.

If you liked Jennifer Armintrout's previous series, you should really give this book a shot. I read it fairly quickly, as it is only 375 pages long, according to the advanced copy that I received. It is full of magical creatures of all kinds, not just Fae and Death Angels. There are also Werewolves, Dragons, Trolls, and even Pixies. It does have romance, but it is not the whole of the story, it is just something that makes this book whole. I'd like to thank Adam from Mira Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book. I was so thrilled when he agreed to let me review it. I'd also like to thank Jennifer Armintrout herself, for stopping by my blog early in June to notice my Waiting on Wednesday post featuring this book. It was her that drove me to contact Adam in the first place.

This is one of those "I wanted to like this" reviews which I honestly hate writing because I really do feel badly giving a negative review to something I thought I would or should like. On the face of it "Queene of Light" should have been just the sort of book I'd get into. I love fantasy, I particularly enjoy it when it's a darkish fantasy that draws in threads of different mythologies and leaves me feeling vaguely uncomfortable, but satisfied. Everything I read about this book suggested that I would love it.

I didn't love it. And in fact, I very nearly stopped reading spang in the middle of the first chapter because it was so over-written I wanted to fling the book out the window. Adjectives don't make writing better. Rather, good writing will sometimes employ well-chosen adjectives to enhance the narrative. However, I admit that the writing calmed down after that first chapter, and I settled in a bit, not exactly enjoying what I was reading but not hating it. Unfortunately, along with some persistent irritants -- Why "queene" and not "queen?" why "Mabb" and not "Mab?" The simpler forms are almost always a better choice unless you have some specific reason to change your words. -- I found both the story and characterization to be pedestrian.

If this had been sold as a romance I might well have been easier with it. Not that I expect romances to be less competently written than fantasy, far from it. Good writing is good writing. Period. Rather, I would have looked for a different focus; less emphasis on the fantasy elements and more on the relationships. But even as a romance, this book didn't work for me because the characters are so flat. Malachi, instead of inspiring a rush of romantic yearning in this feminine breast, seemed like a clueless lump to me. I cut him a lot of slack at first because he was necessarily disoriented by what had happened to him, but he never changed. And Ayla (unfortunate choice of name given that the character of Ayla in the "Clan of the Cave Bear" series is almost an iconic figure.) isn't a whole lot more complex, nor are Garrett and Mabb. In fact, the most interesting character in the book is a secondary character named Keller. I don't think I am alone in finding him interesting, I think the author liked him a great deal as well because the narrative seems to spark when he's in the room.

The setting and the supernatural elements all seemed to have been not very well thought out. It felt as if things like trolls and pixies were tossed in just to make things seem more fantastic, but they never really enriched the story in any way. The worlds seemed badly drawn as well. As other reviewers have mentioned, the notion that people live in a place where you have to wade through sewer sludge seems questionable at best.

I truly wish I had better things to say about this book. As it is, I was just grateful when I could put it down.

I have waited a long time for this series since reading a very brief preview in the back of the last book in her "Blood Ties" vampire series. I wasn't sure if it would be up my alley or not, but I liked Armintrout's writing style enough to try it out. I have to say that I liked Armintrout's writing much better here, even than in the vampire books. What she has done with Lightworld/Darkword is make a completely different and unique world than any out there. The premise of the world is this: When the fae/vamps/demons/magical whatever else is out there 'came out' the Humans fled the magical others and went to live in the tunnels underground. They set up cities and housing and everything they needed. Then came the war betwen them and the humans resumed living aboveworld and the others were shunned to the tunnels underneath. Now those other magical beings have been split into two groups with seperate areas in the tunnels underneath. There are the Darkworld who lives in filth and the worst of the underground. These are vampires, werewolves, demons and angels. Then there are the fae and dragons that live in the Lightworld. The Lightworld isn't all that light either since its still underground. But those in the Lightworld live under the reign of Queene Mabb who wants to (or claims to want to) eventual reclaim there place aboveground. Lightworld is a little nicer living all around than the Darkworld but the Queene actually has a palace with a lot of luxeries from the aboveground. The Queene is immortal so its never been a big deal to have a heir or think of who will replace her. But that next ruler has to be a woman. The King cannot rule the Lightworld. The Queene's brother is Garrett who has taught Ayla, a fairie/human mixed breed to be an assassin. On one of her missions she touches a death angel. Because of her mixed blood the angel becomes mortal and is now a fallen angel. They vow to kill each other. Basically from there the tale becomes an eccletic mix of romance, fantasy, action, and politics. Its actually quite a tale packed into a fairly easily read book. I can't say much more about the plot without giving something away and I don't want to do that, as this book more than deserves to be read. However the story, for me, wasn't exactly a five star. I think the beginning of the book is quite confusing in spots and it felt like I was playing catch up for the first while. Then I wondered how much I really like Ayla and Malachi, the fallen angel at times. Queene Mabb was an interesting, twisted character and I actually really enjoyed her. She was kind of evil in the way Whilemina is evil in Ugly Betty. I will be picking up the next two books as I did enjoy this one a lot.

I don't read fantasy or urban fantasy in the hopes that I'll get long-winded passages detailing characters inner thoughts and feelings. I read fantasy to have fun...I didn't have fun with "Queene of Light."

The author, Jennifer Armintrout, has thrown together a hodge-podge of creatures -fairies, werewolves, angels, humans, and many more go into the mix - and put them into a hodge-podge of worlds - regular earth, underworld, light underworld, dark underworld- and came up with a story that is somehow quite boring. I place the blame solely on the bland main character, Ayla, a fairie who is 1/2 human (how a human mates with a fairy is never fully explained to my liking). Ayla has the unique ability to narrate a harrowing fight to death, and make it seem as exciting as watching a grape turn into a raisin.

I will not be coming back for more in this series, and will not recommend this to anyone.

I don't really read this genre as a rule, however, I received a copy of this book and I have to say that I was immediately intrigued.

This book has far more to offer than just a novel take on the "paranormal" world.

Author Jennifer Armintrout has created a world, without a world in this new novel and I thought it was imaginative. It actually made me sit back and think about how our own world was created and if there is, in fact, always a need for a dark side in any world that exists.

The basis of this book is clever - fairies in all their forms are starting to live side to side with humans - however, the humans don't want this so they banish the ferries to the underground - however, as the fairies create their own world - they discover there is a dark side and now, both worlds will be forcced to battle it out.

As I mentioned, I thought this was both clever and highly thought provoking. The writing was also wonderful and overall, I did enjoy this book even if it is not my usual cup of tea.

What I really liked about this book is that it has followed the recent trend toward realism when telling about faeries - that is, that faeries are beautiful, but in many cases terrible, creatures. They aren't all love and light and cute and sweet, that is for sure! In this world, they are separated into Lightworld and Darkworld, although the humans have forced all of them Underground after the veils of reality have been rent asunder.

Ayla is a half-human/half-faery assassin. When she is stalked by a Death Angel, the unfathomable occurs - when the Death Angel touches her, he becomes mortal. The touch of mortal skin - even just half-human - is like a poison to him. Although Ayla is bound by geis to kill him - as Death Angels are considered part of the Darkworld - she is unable to do so now that he is helpless.

Thus begins a strange relationship between the two of them, leading them to forge a bond that neither of them may survive.

I really enjoyed this first book in a series - I actually devoured it in a single evening's reading. Quite probably I will read it again once I get the next book in the series. For those who enjoy paranormal romance, dark urban fantasy and the like, you will love this book and (quite likely, based upon this book) this whole series. I know I'm looking forward to the rest.

I picked this up because I had read and liked Armintrout's previous work, but honestly, I found it disappointing. The characters are two-dimensional; the most interesting is Keller, a secondary character who is a BioMech, part human and part machine. He's quirky and a lot of fun.

As a romance, this book utterly fails. While I'm used to the recent trend of multi-book romance arcs, there is nothing appealing whatsoever about Malachi in this book. He's a Death Angel who accidentally Fall...more I picked this up because I had read and liked Armintrout's previous work, but honestly, I found it disappointing. The characters are two-dimensional; the most interesting is Keller, a secondary character who is a BioMech, part human and part machine. He's quirky and a lot of fun.

As a romance, this book utterly fails. While I'm used to the recent trend of multi-book romance arcs, there is nothing appealing whatsoever about Malachi in this book. He's a Death Angel who accidentally Falls at the beginning of the book, and spends the rest of it brooding and talking like a caveman. There is no reason shown why Ayla would be attracted to him; in fact, she dislikes him until he forces a kiss on her. From that point on, he is brutish and possessive, and their "love scene" did not read far off from something far less consenting. The overall personality of this character is -- honestly, I'm not sure he even has one. It's either suicidal brooding or possession or yelling at Ayla. The amount of care given to his character is on-par with what most writers give a step-on extra.

Garret is a one-dimensional villain who has one thing on his mind: power. He is supposed to be clever, but even when we are not in his POV, it's easy to see through him. Everyone is surprised when he turns out to the bad guy, even though it was right there in front of everyone's eyes.

I give the book 2 stars because I was interested in what would happen to Ayla, and I like the world setting. I might pick up the next book, but I can't say I hold much hope.

Queene of Light was a fast, overall enjoyable foray into paranormal romance that relied heavily on Fantasy. This series will appeal to someone looking for something a little bit different, as the hero and heroine are not human, but half faery and a literal "fallen Angel".

The book was a good start-but there were areas that could have been improved. First-the romance needed to be expanded. Second-as others have mentioned-the author tend to quickly jump from one important event to another, all the while leaving some events that needed more discussion out. Finally-there are aspects of the "underground" world I find implausible-like the fact that denizens of certain areas spend great quantities of time wading through raw sewage but seem to always be able to clean up easily as well as not get deathly ill from this? Also nothing is mentioned about how all these creatures find food, clean water, etc.

All in all, Queene of Light was enjoyable enough that I'll try the next book in the series.