Customer Reviews

Seraphim (Luna S.)

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

 

 

I've been keeping up with the Luna imprint for a friend interested in submitting. I love fantasy, like a well-written romance. No hardship I'd have thought. If it weren't for that, I would have stopped reading "Seraphim" at the prologue.

From the start, the prose was riddled with jarring point of view shifts, tense shifts, and the purplest of prose. There is much use of words like "'twas," "magick," "damsel" "yonder" and such overwrought mixed metaphors as "[He] shot cupid's arrow through her heart, where the iron branded a new scar onto her soul." The hero's eyes are "violet" and the heroine's is often described as "sapphire." This kind of writing is especially evident in the explicit, graceless major love scene. It's the kind of book it's more irresistable to MST than read.

I won't spoil things for those insistant on trying it anyway, but it's filled with the most implausible plot twists in creation--I guess they are twists except in the case of the heroine and antagonist their very names makes them seem clueless not to realize their own natures. It's not giving much away though to relate this is based on the hoarist of fem fantasy cliches--rape and revenge. Only so many have done it so much better.

I've never even submitted a review here before, I don't live to tear authors' works apart. On the whole, I've liked the Lunas. I enjoyed Lackey's "Fairy Godmother" which had the best world-building, was disappointed with Asaro's given her rep (but it wasn't as bad as "Seraphim"), truly loved Zettel's "In Camelot's Shadow" which managed to make that legend fresh, and was charmed by Hale's "The Wizard's Ward" which had perhaps the most appealing hero and interesting character arc. But skip "Seraphim"--which I can only hope is an abberation in this line of books.

To the other readers who abandoned the story early on- you missed out on climactic action, a battle between good and evil, some cool plot twists and introductions to new realms of magic that will be continued in another volume.
Seraphim in brief opens with a woman in black armor travelling with her reluctant squire on quest for vengeance against the evil brothers who have tormented and tortured through a reign of terror. THe worst of the 5- Lucifer killed Seraphim's family leaving her for dead.
Along the way she is forced to do battle with real evil, accept the help of a mysterious mercenary, put aside her hatred and prejudices to conquer evil.
Solid broad fantasy themes, good action and an intersting heroine and decidedly different hero who embraces her as a partner and equal.
I am a firm believer that the solid themes in all of the Luna books of equality, strength and moral fortitude make for great reading. I highly recommend this line particularily for younger readers.

This was not a hopeless read, not so bad as that - there were some very good ideas, but the poor things were dragged down by the sludge of purple prose and weak points in the story premise.
Seraphim is Seraphim d'Ange the only survivor of her murdered family. Armed as the black knight and aided only by the ex-novice monk Baldwin, she is fuelled by a furious thirst for vengeance against the evil de Morte brothers, authors of her suffering.
At the opening of the tale, she has already dispatched one, quickly chops up a second and then rides on for the remaining trio. With all the much vaunted evil of these fallen angels, Seraphim's defeat of them is just not believable, it is far too easy.
On the road to vengeance, she encounters Dominique San Juste. He is a changeling faery desperately seeking his own origins, who joins her for that end. He is definitely the best part of the tale. Interesting, haunted, handsome, magical etc. etc. Far too good for the slightly cardboard Sera. She is described in glowing terms as being so very wonderful, but unfortunately she is not that at all.
There is a good deal of horror enmeshed in the story, of the nasty slimy type. The way in which the next two demons are dispatched is more than revolting.
Secrets of both Sera and Dominique eventually emerge on the journey and then in the final confrontation with the most evil brother, Lucifer.
A shame so much promise was lost in the mix.

It took me awhile to pick up this one from the shelf, because I wasn't interested in another Joan D'Arc story. But I am extremely glad I forced myself to read it.

I found the story very gripping and moving. My favorite character, by far, is Baldwin Ortolano. I laughed with him, cried with him, laughed AT him (in the most endearing way possible, of course). I was moved by him.

I also really enjoyed the male lead, Dominique San Juste.. and wouldn't mind having my own 'moonlight knight'.

As for the female lead, Seraphim, it's hard to get to know her at first but it's because she's been through so much trauma and tragedy.

If this isn't a fantasy novel, I don't know what is. There is heaven, and hell, demons and faeries (FAERIES, can't get much more fantasical).

I enjoyed it and cannot wait for Gossamyr!

The author had some interesting ideas, but the writing was so poor that I couldn't get through the book. This is a romance novel thinly disguised as fantasy - full of the most trite cliches. It doesn't belong in the sci fi/fantasy section. Stay away unless you want to read a romance novel

France - 1433:
Fires rage and their smoke blackens the sky, the stench of death travels with the wind leaving a message of despair. Families are torn apart and lives are extinguished like candle flames. The reign of the Demon brothers washes over France in their endless search for carnal pleasure, pain, power and death.

Now there rises one which heart is filled with revenge for a father, mother, brother and fiancé are gone forever of this earth. The black knights memory is scorched with their love and laughter that was lost that horrible night. A vow keeps the black knight going with his squire and then Dominique San Juste joins the knight in a journey that is only just the beginning.......

How I enjoyed this grand and epic tale of the demon brothers, fairies and warriors! A quest that enthralls the imagination with almost every chapter I read. The plot alters, it twists and turns, leaving me in the dark as where it would take me. Michele Hauf takes her time to set the stage, this gives a chance for the characters to create depth and making me feel every emotion they go through. The darkness that slithers through this world Michele Hauf created made my heartbeat rise in suspense at moments if Seraphim would succeed in her quest.

The conflict that Seraphim has between her warrior and damsel side is masterfully told and at moments heart shattering to read. It is enhanced with her meeting Dominique San Juste, who on his own is a force within the story to be reckoned with! I thought at times I finally got to know him, understand him, and then something would happen or be revealed that altered his character and just made me wonder again.

When Seraphim and Dominique find feelings of love it empowers the connection they have as it reverberated through me with the strength that the magic of new found hope brings. And then there's Baldwin....
He's a self proclaimed squire that adds a humorous note to it all that elevated the somewhat tormented feel of Seraphim, Dominique and the quest. There are two quotes involving him that made me grin big time!

Quote:
"I can still feel my toes," she offered wiggling the appendages in question to be sure. "But I shouldn't wish my squire stumbling about like a drunkard if he loses his to the cold."
"He will not," Dominique answered confidently. "Just think warm thoughts. Great bonfires and hot August days."
"If I wasn't an icicle I'd knock you from your horse, "I cannot conjure a single warm image to my bechilled brain. My bonfires are frozen over, and my Augusts are rainy and gray."

Quote:
"I've been thinking. Why do I have to go in first?"
"I'm no knight!"
Dominique swung around and slapped the squire across the cheek. "What the hell?"Baldwin mumbled. " I dub thee knight," Dominique casually offered.

I feel I have found myself a tremendously good fantasy series and can't wait to get the second volume in my hands to explore. Michele Hauf has made an impressive statement with this first novel where you can find a dazzling world with strong, bold, evil and magical creatures to explore.

Courtesy of Realms on our Bookshelves

I love this book. What an unusual telling of good vs. evil on a cosmic scale. The era (1433) and setting (France) is detailed everywhere you look. I love Seraphim - her character's innocence balanced preacariously with vengence. And what a gorgeous hero! His identity kept from the heroine until neigh the middle of the book. A bit of comic relief was provided less the battle for the world as they knew it get too deep around your ears.

And I must comment on how Hauf's story parallels French History (whether intentional or not). Charles VII is mentioned throughout the novel, although he did much for France as I understand it, by taking control from the English King Henry VI, he was also the 5th son of Charles VI not inheriting the throne but taking it by force when his father died and left the rule to the English as per the Treaty of Troyes in an effort to end the Hundred Years War that had ravaged the country. Then Charles VII married Marie d'Anjou (an angelic name, yes?) Oh, and Charles was given over to another family to be raised into adulthood.

Okay, so the parallels aren't "exact," but this story bounds from the pages of French History books. war ravaged, squabbling rulers, and much in need of a heroine. I felt I was amidst the trio on their quest to end evil. Well done. Wonderfully depicted. I can't wait for the next one. CL

For those who want to read a fun mix of fantasy, romance, and intriguing characters - this is NOT the book for you. The premise had potential. The heroine sets off to rid the world of an evil clan of demons in human form who murdered her family, accompanied by the archetypical bumbling squire. The squire, incidentally, was really the only high point of the book. I'd be willing to give an extra half-star for the squire, if the rest of the book wasn't so awful. I just can't justify rounding up on this one.

Unfortunately, as soon as the archetypical dark, handsome stranger is introduced early in the book, the story turns into a Harlequin romance. "Seraphim felt the damsel within her stir with the longing to feel his strong, manly arms about her and his burning kiss." "Dominique wondered how he could have been so wrong in his first impression of her as an unnatural and unfeminine woman who went around dressed in men's clothes - the lush curves of a woman lay underneath the cold steel of her armor." Disclaimer - those aren't actual quotes from the book, but I'll lay good money on the fact that they're very close.

If you cut out about 95% of that horrid, trite prose, you might have a halfway decent short story. But as it is, do yourself a favor and stay far away from this book. My copy will soon be gracing my neighborhood used book store, so caveat emptor!

The year is 1433. Seraphim d'Ange is a young woman riding through France on a quest for revenge. The de Morte brothers attacked the d'Ange castle, killing Seraphim's family. Seraphim was raped, wounded, and left for dead. Now she is disguised as "the Black Knight" and killing off the de Morte brothers one by one. Two down, three to go.

All of this takes place before _Seraphim_ begins. Sera is now preparing to eradicate the third brother. She and her squire, Baldwin, meet a stranger on their journey, who joins them when it turns out that he has similar aims. The stranger is Dominique St. Juste, a handsome man with faery blood. Sparks fly.

Michele Hauf attempts an elevated, old-fashioned style, but breaks that tone with anachronisms: using "teen" to describe Baldwin, for example, and having people say "Really?" or "So?" The names don't help either. Not only are the names unsubtly symbolic, but they don't fit the place and time -- this is supposed to be set in the real, historical France, where it's unlikely that anyone was named Seraphim or Gossamer.

It may sound silly to quibble about anachronistic names when there are faeries and demons running around. When I read historical fantasy, though, I like to suspend disbelief and imagine that it really could have happened this way, but that the magical parts were "lost to history." It doesn't work when I can't believe the "realistic" aspects of the story.

I got about 100 pages into _Seraphim_; thus far there has been little plot development except for the unfolding of the backstory. Instead the book is focused on bickering and bantering among Sera, Baldwin, and Dominique, which is made confusing by head-hopping and (at times) too few dialogue tags. I finally gave up when Dominique started brooding about an anti-faery comment Seraphim made -- a comment she made to Baldwin when Dominique was not present. If a book is engaging in other ways, I can overlook errors like that, but in this case it was the last straw.

Michele Hauf has written three great books in this series. Seraphim picks right up with the series and has not let us down in its content. Another great piece of entertaining work, a joy to read. Hope she writes more!!!!