Customer Reviews

Reader and Raelynx (The Twelve Houses, Book 4)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Reader and Ralynx" brings the focus of the Twelve Houses series back to it's roots: political manuevering, religious fanatacism, magic, romance, and the battle to preserve the kingdom. The original six main characters are in abundance, as well as the key supporters who have appeared throughout the series. In short, this book is a good finale to the series, but not a good choice to read independently.

Each book in this series has focused on one character of the original six more than the others. This book lets us see into Cammon; finally, Cammon develops into more than just the 'tag along little brother.' His growth in this book is fun and engaging. Cammon is the obvious choice as the focus character because his magical powers links him to his friends in a powerful, vivid, and emotional way. This allows the reader to feel more involved with all the characters despite the emphasis on Cammon's viewpoint.

The beginning of the book is a little slow for the reader familiar with the Twelve Housees series, as it reintroduces characters and plot points. I recognize that this is necessary background for the new reader but it was also a way to move back into the series after the sidelines of the last book, "Dark Moon Defender." Once the foundation is laid, however, the plot progresses at a reasonable pace for most of the book. The background offered in the book is not enough for the new reader to understand the intricacies of the characters and plot points, however.

My biggest criticism is that the ending of the book feels truncated and rushed compared to the rest of the series. That problem is why I've rated the book 4 stars. As a reader, I strongly dislike feeling rushed through the end of a book. Shinn does take great effort to tie up all the loose ends, though, even bringing in memorable but minor characters from the previous books.

As always, Shinn does a wonderful job working within the world of Gillengaria as laid out in the previous books. There are no crucial yet previously unknown facts about the world introduced to advance the plot. Her characters are endearing and entertaining, if a bit predictable. Overall, this book is a good ending to a very enjoyable series.

SPOILER ALERT

Aside from the rushed ending, I was disappointed by Shinn's approach to King Baryn. In previous novels, we have been able to read dialogue between the characters and the King. In this book the best offered is references to the king. Characters still meet and discuss problems with King Baryn but we don't get to experience this 'firsthand'. Making King Baryn more visible in this text would have gone a long way to further understanding several characters, their motives, and plot points surrounding King Baryn's death.

This is the fourth book in Shinn's Twelve Houses series. Each volume focuses on one of the six companions and this one follows the youngest--Cammon. The boy who reads souls. Heretofore, Cammon has been something of a delightful enigma. The scruffy little brother with a good heart, not an ounce of tact, and the ability to gauge a person's true intentions. In this volume, he comes into his own and it was a treat to be one up on the rest of the characters for once. To actually be inside his head. Cammon is still Cammon, but we do get a little more information on his background and abilities as a reader. When he is chosen to assess the true intentions of Princess Amalie's suitors, the inevitable humorous and dangerous consequences follow. In fact, this was the most predictable of the four novels so far. Although I was surprised (and perfectly delighted) with how much of it was Senneth's story. She is my favorite character and, in the end, all the books are about Senneth, the people she gathers around her, and the ways in which she binds them together. As in Mystic and Rider (The Twelve Houses, Book 1), her sheer strength took my breath away. Now that I think about it, it makes sense that we get so much of Senneth in this book as it becomes clearer and clearer as the story goes on how much Cammon relies on her. How, even when he disagrees with her logic, she has come to fill a space in his life that was empty until she walked into the tavern and freed him with a swipe of her knife. As always, Shinn's strength is her dialogue and her strong characters. They leap, gleefully and disreputably, off the page, making me wish I knew them. Wish I could talk with them and watch their faces. Become familiar and chummy with them. Until I was one of them. One of the six. No, seven now. That's the sign of a good book. That's the reason I'll read anything she writes. That, and finally having the satisfaction of watching Tayse cleave Halchon Gisseltess in half without blinking an eye. All is right with the world.

Although most of the books could be read without the others, it's probably better to have read them in order. Spoilers in this review and in the book itself will naturally occur if you haven't read the earlier books first. And since this book also entails the war that has been threatening since the first book, more than all the others, this book should be read last.

Cammon is the last and youngest of the six companions and it is right that his tale be told last. The six meet in the first book when two King's Riders, Tayse and Jason, and two Mystics, Senneth and Kirra--along with her man, Donal, are sent by the King to seek out rumors of unrest and treachery in the realm of Gillengaria, and rescue Cammon along the way. Cammon has always shown promise as a Reader--someone who can pick up strong emotions and some thoughts. He can sense those he cares for over great distances, and can see through shape-changing and illusions. As the book opens, he helps forestall several assassination attempts on King Baryn. When it is decided that Princess Amalie should receive suitors in order to help stabilize her claim to the throne, Cammon is called to the palace in order to help guard the King and the Princess and to help to secretly vet the suitors.

Cammon and Amalie had hit it off in an earlier book when she and step-mother Queen Valri needed guarding while making the rounds of the Houses of the kingdom. The fears of a number of perceptive people are realized when Cammon and Amalie grow closer and closer. Amalie needS to ally with one of the Twelves Houses, not alienate them by loving a commoner and a Mystic.

In the meantime, plots are coming to fruition. Halchon Gisseltess is in nearly open revolt--gathering forces for an onslaught against the King in the spring. His sister, Coralinda Gisseltess, continues to gather power as a Priestess who is out to destroy all Mystics. Other Houses are allies or may stay out of the fight. And disgruntled minor nobles of the Thirteenth House are fomenting rebellion in concert with Gisseltess's plans.

The first part of the book mostly concerns Cammon and Amalie. Both seem very young and somewhat naive--Cammon, particularly, since he naturally doesn't care about anything other than people: caring for the people he likes and keeping the bad ones away. He has little interest in training as a Rider or in society or status or politics, and it's not likely he will change. I would have liked to have seen a bit more development in all the characters, but in this series, they have remained very constant, despite what happens in their lives. (Tayse and maybe Senneth have possibly changed the most--and that, mostly in the first book.)

The action and battles in the last part of the book is exciting and suspenseful. There seemed to be a few unexplained inconsistencies (such as waiting to try a certain ploy when something like it might have been used earlier to greater effect, and powers that seem nearly omnipotent sometimes but not so useful at other times). There were a few things that were hinted at that didn't seem to come to any full effect--and some incredibly useful flaws in the enemy that were crucial (in almost an Evil Overlord sort of way)--plus an fairly easy out regarding the romance at the end, but then, perhaps that's just my own few quibbles and no one else would think of it that way. (I also wanted more about the raelynx, given that he's in the title, but oh, well.)

This book was still well-written and a satisfying conclusion to a good series.

I was disappointed in this book. Cammon is perhaps my least favorite 'companion' in the group. I find his personality a bit too cutesy, the perpetually messed hair and waifish appearance and his inability to comprehend boundaries a bit irritating. It was okay when the character was introduced. But it got tedious after a while..

Cammon's deal is that he is a 'reader'. He can read people's minds. The royals want him to watch the various suitors who come courting their daughter to determine which might make an acceptable match. I thought this might be an interesting plot. Until I realized no one would be an acceptable match and then I just felt the author took a shortcut. How much more interesting if Amalie had dozens of worthwhile suitors? Surely there are single, hot, accomplished young men in the kingdom who would make good kings? Guess not.

*Spoiler warning*

I think this novel was the worst in the series. Mostly because there was far too much sappy reunion couple drama going on. Way too much back-story and minor character development. I personally preferred the characters UNPAIRED up and watching the various characters in married bliss was just boring. Particularly Justin and his wife, and Tayse and Senneth. Neither relationship is particularly exciting (particularly Justin's).

I also think the characters are becoming very sue-ish. No one is stronger than Tayse, more beautiful than Kyra, more powerful than Senneth, more understanding than Cammon etc.

The bad guys by contrast are all selfish and evil? Why? Because they don't like the main characters. They hate magic and mystics. They must be bad. When in fact, Mystics, can and do frightening things. Kyra mind-wiped her boyfriend in the last book. Senneth kills hundreds of people with her fire. Cammon reads people's minds without their consent.

I found Kyra rather irritating in this one. If she's in love with Donnal (which I honestly don't see), why is she flirting with every guy she sees? Yet Donnal doesn't seem to care. I know she's pretty, but she doesn't get a pass on being a decent person. She and Donnal are supposed to be a couple, and yet we don't see any indications they really are.

And what's up with Donnal? Why doesn't he get his own book? The perfect opportunity would've been when Donnal went on his own after Kyra threw him over for Romar. And why is it that after all these books, Donnal is still just a cipher. I want to like this character, because to me he seems the most normal, but even he is abnormally devoted and self-sacrificing.

The Cammon/Amalie relationship did nothing for me. I didn't find it sweet or cute, just hopelessly predictable and awkward. Particularly the cheese kiss in the kitchen and the scene where Camman strips and shows Amalie his body. I just felt kind of creepy to me.

Meh. 1 star. My least favorite so far.

I loved "Dark Moon Defender" and liked "The Thirteenth House" well enough, so I was surprised at how disappointed I was in "Reader and Raelynx." Cammon is immature and annoying, Amalie is (up until the end) childish and annoying, the villains are all completely one-note, and the ending is, as others have noted, rushed. I'm also a bit frustrated that, after four books, all we really know about poor Donnal is that a) he's peasant-born and b) he really digs Kirra. The Twelve Houses series overall is great fun, but I ended this book with the impression that Sharon Shinn was getting a little bored.

Overall, a good finish to this series and the author did a good job tying up her many plot lines. I was a little disappointed at how easily she ended the war--when she has Ariane Rappengrass ask why they didn't just assassinate the bad guys to begin with I think the character was asking what many of the readers were thinking early on. The explanation was a little anticlimatic. Also, a big plot inconsistancy that has been bothering me is this: why is it that in "Thirteenth House", Coralinda Gisseltess walked into the ball at Coravann covered in moonstones and none of the mystics were affected by her 'thief magic'. When Amalie put on the moonstone in "Reader & Raelynx", Cammon almost passed out because of the drain on his power.

Anyhoo, still a very enjoyable read, but defintely not the best book in the series of 4.

Reader and Raelynx (2007) is the fourth fantasy novel in the Twelve Houses series, following Dark Moon Defender. In the previous volume, Ellynor Alowa escaped the convent of the Daughters of the Pale Mother and returned to the Lirrenlands with Justin. There he was tested by her family and found worthy. Then they were married.

In this novel, King Baryn decides that his heir -- Princess Amalie -- should marry. Maybe the marlords will be so enthused with the idea of marrying into the royal family that chances for war would be reduced. Suitors are coming to visit her from all the Twelve Houses, some of which were probably going to be on the other side in the coming civil war.

Cammon senses an assassin and, with the help of Senneth and Tayse, catches him before he can reach the king. Then he does it again in a regal audience. King Baryn is so impressed that Cammon is asked to guard and advise Princess Amalie. Cammon is given a room in the palace, new and better clothes, and is kept close to the princess whenever she is exposed to the suitors and other outsiders.

Jerril continues to train Cammon in Reader skills. Although Cammon is the most talented Reader known to Jerril, he still doesn't know every skill in the repertoire. Besides, Jerril hopes that Cammon also will discover new skills, particularly in the Reading of foreigners.

Milo -- the king's steward -- decides that Cammon is one of the servants and thus under his charge. After Cammon stays away for a few days upon Milo's instructions, Amalie becomes mad at him and demands to know where he has been. Then she makes it clear that she will decide when Cammon is required.

Justin and Ellynor are returning to Ghosenhall from the Lirrenlands. Naturally Cammon knows that they are coming and tells Senneth and Tayse of their proximity. The King's Riders plan a charivari to welcome them back.

Cammon visits the raelynx fairly often. He knows that Queen Valri is visiting the animal, but then he discovers that Amalie is also viewing the deadly beast. He tries to tell her to be careful, but she unlocks the gate and enters the area where the raelynx is being held. Cammon is terribly afraid for her, but she has as much control over the animal as does Queen Valri.

In this story, Cammon and Amalie become close friends. Cammon tells her about his footloose life and Amalie tells him about her lack of friends. After Milo is put in his place, Cammon is close to Amalie for every public occasion and often just for friendly conversation.

Senneth and Queen Valri talk to Cammon about the position of Amalie in the kingdom. Cammon doesn't quite agree about some things, but does try to be more formal. Amalie gets very angry about that behavior.

This story finally shows the start of the civil war between the Houses. Halcon Gisseltest and the other rebel leaders hire foreign mercenaries and the Gillengarian Mystics find their powers are mostly ineffectual against these troops. Even Senneth finds her flames are not effective against the foreigners and that the rebel leaders are protected against her fire magic.

The first wave of attacks is by Thirteenth House leaders against their own marlords. Then the palace is attacked by foreigners. The King's Riders fight back and Cammon finds himself defending Amalie with a sword.

This book may mark the end of the series. Most of the plot threads are woven into this story, leaving few loose ends. Yet there are some very interesting puzzles left unresolved.

Highly recommended for Shinn fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of different magics, political intrigue, and royal romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

This is a great ending to the mystic and rider series. You can still tell that Senneth is really whom the story revolves around in this one and probably that Ms. Shinn holds a special place in her heart for Senneth. Cammon's love story is really quite sweet and fun to read. I recommend anyone that is a fan of this series to go out and buy this book!

I love the Sharon Shinn Twelve Houses series. She has developed all the characters in depth with personalities that make you feel you know them, and has created a really interesting world filled with magic and reality living side by side.

I hope she has more books coming in this series. I would like to see Cammon and Amalie, the Queen, have children, and see where this world goes with more magic and beauty after all the wars and dissention. Just a thought.

I would say that the dust jacket summary is a little misleading. Cammon and Amalie would be the main players in this latest tale. Cammon is a mystic who can pick up on the emotions/thoughts of others. He is summoned to observe Amalie's suitors as they come to courting for the king's daughter's hand. I had expected more courtship, but that sadly was not the case. Not that it is a terrible thing, but I just thought there'd be a lot more.

This may be my 2nd favorite story out of the series, after Mystic and Rider (book 1). It was just a splendid continuation of the characters I have come to love in the earlier books. The stories behind Cammon and Amalie are quite surprising and intriguing. Throughout the novel, Amalie throws everyone - including the reader - off-balance with her insight and frankness. The topic of mystics and the source of their power is also discussed in more detail in Reader and Raelynx. And yes, the raelynx does make an appearance in this novel with enough exposure that pleased me. There is a side story of Senneth and Tayse, and at the end we are left with a startling twist that leaves many questions unanswered about Senneth. Plus, I think that I am partial to stories that involve battles and sword fights. I enjoy the action sequences, and Shinn does an excellent job with writing such scenes. She threw in some unexpected allies, and I flipped pages in nail-biting suspense to see how the war would play out.