Customer Reviews

Curse of the Shadow Beasts (Magelore Series)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This world could be part of Middle Earth that the hobbits never discovered.
Elf, human, gnome and dwarf live in the same city, yet it is an abomination for attraction to grow and if a child is ever spawned with impure elven blood, it is drowned at birth.
Arien, an elf mage never questioned the wisdom or necessity of this practice, then, an elfkin saves his life. Now, he must face truths, some from his own past and some from the world at large... thus, he leaves his scolarly life and embarks on a quest .... you won't regret reading this great story.

Like several people who already reviewed this wonderful novel, I've know the author, Christine Morgan, by the fandom of the TV Series Gargoyles, and met her several times already, during the Gathering conventions. All that to say that I had high expectation about this book, and I wasn't disappointed!
Poignant intrigues, attaching characters, and one of the dealiest sneakiest vilain I've ever known. and most of all non-human races that have more than one dimension, far from the stereotypes of the genre.
I tell you guys, this book is a MUST READ! (like 99% of Christine's stories, anyway!)

I have been a fan of Ms. Morgan's work for a long time and while all of it is awesome, this is one of the best of the best. The day I received it I read it right through. A must read for RPG fans or fans of Ms. Morgan - or both! =)

I loved the book. All I have to ask is when the next two sequels are coming out?

I've been hooked on reading since before I was six, and over the past twelve-or-so years, I think I may well have read more than 500 books (not including repeats), and this, as one of very few, trapped me completely, as I practically witnessed the events going on like I was stuck in some holodeck adventure. (Trekkies know what I mean). The author has a way of actually transferring the emotions of the characters into the readers. Either that, or I'm way overdue for my psych evaluation.

Putting it shortly: provided the reader has even a grain of imagination he/she will Feel. Feel, as in share the pain, the loss, the laughs and the joys of Arien, Cat or any of the cast.

And while waiting for the sequel, you can ask yourself whether or not also you know an Alphonse, or a Greyquin, or even a Cat. For such is the cast, that should you manage to ignore the matter of species, elven or orc etc. you may find friends of yours riding through the forest, on occasion even family.

Life is simple. Death is simple. Living is the hard part. (I won't get in trouble for quoting, will I?)

First-Time author Christine Morgan takes us into a world that many people have visited - that of an active fantasy adventure.

A previous reviewer proclaimed this book as "slash fiction". That couldn't be any farther than the truth! Ms. Morgan has delved into her "role-playing" background, and has produced a story that doesn't just tell a story, it LIVES the story.

Elven magic-user, Arien Miranda, has to stop a malovent curse - cast by the ancestors of an enemy Elven House onto his bloodline - from ruining his chances to love again. To this end, he enlists the aid of an Elfkin theif, Cat Sabledrake (Elfkin - half-elf/half-human offspring of a Human/Elf mating, which Pure Elves will kill, citing such crossbreeds as abominations).

Together, they travel with Alphonse Bugbedead (an Orckin), Sybil Narrin (an acolyte to the sex-goddess Talopea), and a few other friends to the feared tower of Archmage Selbon - a master of alchemy - to find a book that might free Arien from his curse. This serves a double-purpose, since it is rumored that Cat's mother might just be a prisoner in this same tower.

Along the way, Cat and Co. face many adventures and strange people - most noteworthy is the Archmage Solarrin; a deformed, dwarf-sized human who is a skilled necromancer, and his Minotaur sidekick, Bostich. (Note: Ms. Morgan affectionately refers to Solarrin as "The Dungeonmaster's evil twin; in reference to the animated show "Dungeons & Dragons")

Overall, this is a great book, which will give insight to the world of "Role-Playing Adventures" to a lot of us that don't play RP-Games. It's also a fantastic fantasy, filled with action, suspense, danger, romance, and a little twisted comedy that is a trademark of Ms. Morgans work; which comes from a long line of written fan-fiction; a fact which proves her dedication to the writing craft, by honing her skill and talent in what many professionals call "the no-mans land of writing".

Overall, if you are looking for a great addition to your collection of fantasy books, get "Curse of The Shadow Beasts" today. I not only say this as a reader and a writer, but as a long time fan of Ms. Morgan's work. This is a great story!

I'm usually Very Fussy when it comes to books. Tolkien bores me *Ducks bricks* and Rarely when I look in the fantasy section does anything catch my eye. And still, it's my favorite section. I've always adored Christine's fanfiction and was a bit leery about buying her book ("Oh great, something ELSE to be addicted to... like caffine wasn't enough") And I had good reason to! Christine's book; "Curse of the Shadow Beasts" Is the best book I have ever read! I picked it up and couldn't put it down until I was finished and left me starving for more! Please continue your series!

I have to say, I've read a bit of Ms. Morgan's fanfic on her webpage, being a fellow _Gargoyles_ fan, and I thought that was good! This book has blown me away.

I swore that I was actually in the book. The character development was wonderful and the describtions were fantastic. I almost thought I could smell the rotting flesh in Selborn's castle or the perfumed hallways in the temple of Talopea!

Kudos to Ms. Morgan for another great work. So when's the next one? ;)

Christine's novel, "Curse of the Shadow Beasts", is a fantasy slash adventure that is sure to keep you from putting it down. Christine weaves an enchanting story of an exiled elven wizard, Arien Mirida, and an elfkin woman named Cat Sabledrake. Both brought together on their own quests to obtain a mystical book and Cat's missing mother. Along their journey, Arien and Cat begin to fall for eachother. A dangerous turn that could spell doom for Cat as she does not yet know of the horrible curse which has plagued anyone of the Mirida blood line for centuries. Fighting between his morals and his heart, Arien must find a way to end this Curse or be forced to lose another so dear to his heart.

This book showed some promise in the beggining. It didn't come true.
Arien Mirida thinks he's cursed. His bride was killed by beasts gathered by an ancient curse he didn't know about at the time (and later his aunt managed to tell him about). So Arien decided he'll live unhappily ever after - until he discovers hope exists.
Enter Cat Sabledrake. She falls inlove with Arien and helps him destroy the curse. Then she helps him resurrect his bride, and they part, unhappy again.
So what's the catch?!
I liked this book until I realized it was setting the course for a whole series, with Cat Sabledrake as main character. Well, I for one, won't read the rest of them. The one I liked, Arien, won't be re-appearing, so why follow all Cat's bad choices of lovers?! If it's true love, let it be free... at least in a fantasy novel, love should be true.
Not in this one, though. Not to the end.