Customer Reviews

Storm Watcher (The Watcher Series, Book 2)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Title: Storm Watcher
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
Publisher: ImaJinn Books
ISBN: 1933417005
Genre: Fantasy

Second in an exciting and marvelously cast series of tales involving magic, the dark that seeks to kill three lovely young witches known as Lightbringers, Storm Watcher pits Watcher Hanson against those who would destroy Mari, the water witch, his witch. An edge-of-the-seat read which I find unusual in fantasy.

If there were such a genre, I'd call these fantasy mysteries because they have all the requirements to make a suspenseful story where good is stalked by evil. In Storm Watcher, such is the case, but it is Hanson who is set against Mari because she has seen him kill her friend, Theo, the green witch and another Lightbringer.

Though Hanson denies it could happen Mari doesn't appear to believe him and is torn between a growing feeling for him and her deep friendship for Theo. All Hanson knows for certain is that the dark is stalking Mari and Theo too. Can the two watchers keep them alive? How can he when Mari keeps disappearing on him?

A finely tuned tension runs through this story, vibrating to the personalities of the main characters as they hold our attention from beginning to end. You'll feel the power that thrums along the bonds connecting one to the other and hold your breath each time danger threatens.

Highly recommended as a fun read, beginning to end. You'll be waiting for the next book involving these characters. Will Elise find her watcher, a man she won't be able to scorch? She isn't the fire witch for nothing and smoke tendrils follow her passage. Very enjoyable stories by the very talented Lilith Saintcrow.

This is the sequel to DARK WATCHER, it is even better.
Mari is the water witch in the Guardians, Theo is the Guardian Healer, and Elise is the Fire Guardian. Hanson is Mari's Watcher, a watcher is a protecter for the Light-bringers. aka the witches.

Mari is shy, retiring, and has let men run over her in all her relationships. She has very little self confidence and none at all where men are concerned.

Hanson has finally found "his" witch, the one who stops the pain and gives him freedom from the Circle of Light. But Hanson has a dark past, as do all the Watchers, and he doesn't feel good enough for the light filled Mari. Nontheless, he is determined to protect her, his last assigned witch was killed by the Dark while he battled the Crusade. Now he is willing to die to save the one woman he needs. He must have Mari trust him because if she sends him away he will die.

In THE DARK WATCHER the witches saved their city by becoming Guardians. But the spell was not complete and now their light is a beacon to the Dark, Mari must find and complete the spell while all three are stalked by a Darkness worse than they have seen before. It is brought into their very home and to defeat it Mari has seen a death.

Great writing, wonderful read, I loved learning more about the Watchers and how they are created. Saintcrow gets better and better. Don't miss this one.

Lilith Saintcrow's enthralling series continues with STORM WATCHER. Mariamne Niege became a Guardian in DARK WATCHER and Hanson was the Watcher assigned to protect her from the Dark. Now, Mari is having visions that terrify her as she Sees Hanson killing Theo, her best friend (who is also a Guardian). Meanwhile, Mari's roommates don't like Hanson's presence in her life and a gargoyle named Rossini sends her to the Library (which is also a Nexus) to follow up on some writings from her former Teacher, Suzanne. Now, with the Dark attacking and dead bodies piling up, will Mari learn to trust both her instincts and Hanson? And just how is the Dark managing to get so close to Mari anyway?

Lilith Saintcrow takes readers on another wild journey into the world of the Lightbringers versus the Dark. While STORM WATCHER can be read as a stand alone novel, this reviewer recommends reading DARK WATCHER first so that readers can truly appreciate the complexity of the world Saintcrow has created.

Readers will find themselves cheering Mari's progression from a timid, mouse-like character to a strong woman who can speak her mind. Mari initially wants only to finish her thesis and be left alone; she is used to keeping herself camouflaged and is a bit disconcerted at being Hanson's sole focus. She struggles with learning to make her own decisions without others choosing for her. Hanson's steady support for Mari will have readers dreaming of their own Watcher.

STORM WATCHER is a book you will not want to put down once you start reading it. Lilith Saintcrow's series only improves with each installment and leaves the reader anxiously awaiting the next book.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I have to say that this is one of the best series I am reading.
Hanson is a troubled character. He is a Watcher that lost his last assignment. Astrid was the last witch that he had to guard and in protecting her he scared her and he lost her to the Darkness that threatens all Lightbringers. Lightbringers is what the Circle Lightfall calls witches, by the way. So when we meet Hanson we understand that he is shaken up and a little unsure of himself.
Mari is trying to complete her education. She is living with three other people and they are taking advantage of her kind nature, much to Hanson's displeasure.
Hanson and Mari are trying to stay alive in a city where something goes after the witches seemingly on a daily basis. To add to the problems, Mari has visions and in one of those visions she see's Hanson kill her best friend, Theo.
This is a great book about two very vulnerable damaged people, who if they were trying to have a relationship with anyone else would completely screw it up. They somehow learn to trust each other by the end of the book and even though you are exhausted you manage to cheer for them and the happy ending that they deserve.

The sexual tension between Mari the water witch and Hanson the Watcher of "Storm Watcher" dominates the second novel in "The Watcher Series". Over a year has passed for the two of them yet every other page has Mari and Hanson thinking of touching each other, being near each other, smelling each other, and more, splitting the plots effectiveness. Extra words and some misspellings also detract from the flow.

As with the previous book, there is little substance behind the history of Circle Lightfall, a Lightbringer's enemies, or the characters. Mari encounters vicious monsters but outside of its name and the immediate threat, nothing further is clarified whether how such creatures are conjured or what specific Dark powers are available. The fights receive a fleeting account by cutting to the next chapter as the battle begins.

The series is pro-pagan; therefore those of a highly inflexible religious background or intolerant attitude towards religion might want to avoid the selection.

Thank you.

Good story line, however the book could be hotter in the love department. I huuried to finish the book not because it provided excellent reading, but because I wanted the experience to be over quickly.

Not a bad read if that's all you have on your bookshelf!!!

My sister loves anything by Lilith. So, for Christmas and her birthdays I help add to her collection.

I really enjoyed Dark Watcher, which is why I bought Storm Watcher. This second book in the series delves a little deeper into the characters. Unfortunately, I had started reading this one about a month ago and had to put it aside for a time. I picked it up recently and haven't finished reading it, but it was easy getting back into the story. I'm looking forward to finishing this one and moving on the next in the series.

This is the only book I have read in the series and it is not even the first, yet, I felt completely comfortable reading it. The book is short and covers a society that was new, but the author explained the basics in complete, concise voice so that the action was not put on hold.

The characters were likable and the hero sounded very sexy.
The herione was intelligent and strong, yet unsure of herself--very normal. I do plan to read more from this series.

Second in Saintcrow's Watcher series, this story features one of the witches who works in an occult shop. Mariamne is a water witch - her powers come from, use, and share water. But being a witch isn't her goal in life - she simply wants to finish her degree at the university and get a job in her field! But the untimely arrival of Hanson, her Watcher, disrupts her life and her studies. To Mari's dismay, Hanson's arrival also saved her life because her visions are so forceful that she's been blinded to reality at times, almost walking into traffic. Hanson moves into Mari's house to protect her, sleeping on the couch, which her fellow housemates find distinctly uncomfortable. But when earthquakes (or worse!) threaten Mari's city and friends, Mari sits up and takes notice of her gifts and her Watcher - trying to use both to save her life and the lives of those around her. I am enjoying the Watcher series, although I still have to put WORKING FOR THE DEVIL at the top of her list of works.