7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't wait for the next one in the series, February 1, 2011
This review is from: Unseen (Outcast Season, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
I was a little unsure how Unseen would be since the main series it's spun off from, The Weather Warder Series, which ended this last August. But I shouldn't have worried because when you have a writer as creative and talented as Rachel Caine you don't need to worry about the continuity of a series.
Unseen takes place right after the end of Unknown and around Cape Storm in the Weather Warden Series. It's fast paced, exciting, and full of rich characters. Because the series takes place over four books Caine is better able to show the evolution of her protagonist Cassiel, from a hard uncaring dangerous Djinn, to a more compassionate fuller character that we're able to see in Unseen.
Not only that, but the other characters such as Ibby and Luis are given in my opinion a much bigger (and much deserved) role in this book in the series. I found Ibby in particular especially well written and interesting. Caine does a great job treading that fine line of a broken little girl and a hardened soldier that the Ibby is forced to inhabit in her character. Not only that but the other new characters such as Esmeralda make a great new addition to the story and really help bring out the action.
That said, this is the third book in a series spun off from another series. Readers should make sure to read the previous books to truly grasp all that is happening in the book.
All in all this is a fun book with plenty of action. The characters are interesting and redeemable, and the dialog is well written. This book wont win the Hugo or Pulitzer Prize, but it makes for a great book to read on vacation or just for anyone looking for an exciting and captivating book on the go. All in all a very entertaining book.
[...]
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!, February 12, 2011
This review is from: Unseen (Outcast Season, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
4.5 Stars
I just finished this book and *sigh* I am even more in love with this series than ever. I'm really glad that Rachel Caine decided to do a spinoff of her Weather Warden series. I enjoyed that series a lot, but this series has quickly surpassed it and become my favorite.
I know a few people who had a problem with Joanne's personality and the constant rotation of big bads in such a short timeframe in the Weather Warden series. If you're one of them, you might want to take another crack at it with this series because it's written very differently. There's one big bad that spans the series instead of a different problem in each book. They just have specific things to accomplish in one book to get them closer to defeating the bad guy.
Also, I wasn't as big of a fan of Jo and David as I think I was supposed to be. I seemed to like the other characters I met along the way better. This one I actually like for the characters and the relationship development (plus the action too). It all feels very solid and even though there's a big bad and the battle to beat her is important, Cassiel's growth and change through the series is a huge part too.
The action and intensity really ratchets up in this installment. We've had some pretty gnarly actions scenes to date, but now the stakes seem higher so it it's all a bit more intense. I don't think anything can compete for the sheer badass WTF-ery of a certain scene in the second book, Unknown, where Cassiel proves that she's still Djinn where it counts, but this one certainly doesn't disappoint.
Cassiel continues to be a fascinating, complex character. She questions her old beliefs as a Djinn and weighs them against her new experiences as a human. Even when she changes, she never feels different than her core self. Cassiel is someone who will never be weak where it counts. Her practicality and willingness to make the hard choice do not endear her to everyone. She knows herself and her worth and doesn't care if people think she's arrogant because of it.
"I can manage."
"Do you have any idea of your own arrogance, lady?"
"Yes," I said. "Do you have any idea of yours?"
Her connection to various people is tested here. The bonds that she has built are put to the test and not all of them survive. There was one character who crossed a shocking line for me and I'm curious to see how that will continue to play out in the next book and if it can be fixed. Cassiel also has to make some hard decisions here, even when it hurts the ones she cares about the most.
"I was breaking his heart, and mine, and there was nothing I could do that would heal that wound. It was better to let it bleed out the poison...if that was possible.
I wasn't sure that it wouldn't kill us both."
I feel bad that Cassiel has to shoulder the blame because she's strong enough to take a harsh look at the situation and do what needs to be done, even when she doesn't want to. I can see why other characters are hurt by her decisions and it seems like no one wins in situations like that.
We got to see more of Rashid--who continues to fascinate me--and also a bit of Ashan. Things are quickly getting out of control, and something toward the end happened that upped the ante dramatically. Something must be done, and it must be done now or it will be too late. The next (and last) book in the series that comes out in 2012 promises to be a wild, intense ride. I can't wait.
I know that I haven't gone into much detail about the actual events of the story, but I think it'll lose its punch if I give anything away. A large part of the fun of Rachel Caine's writing is uncovering the wild ride page by page. The only caution I would make about this book is that it does not stand alone well. You really need to start it from the beginning to follow along well.
Favorite Quote:
Everything's fine," I said. "I bought Isabel a pet."
There was an interestingly long silence, and finally he said, "Is it poisonous?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"That's...surprising, somehow, from you. All right. You can explain it all to me later."
Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
entertaining Warden fantasy, February 6, 2011
This review is from: Unseen (Outcast Season, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
Cassiel and Luis recently saved his niece Isabel from her murderous djinn sister Pearl (see Unknown). However, both are concerned with what they learned during the rescue. First Isabel is too young to display her otherworldly power yet she has. Second there were a horde of other abducted kids with her.
Pearl and her followers have kidnapped the offspring of deceased Wardens. They brainwash their prisoners before raising the powers of the children. Cassiel and Luis fear what will happen to the kids as obtaining power before puberty leads to a significant chance of dying. Wanting to prevent Pearl's plans from fruition, Cassiel infiltrates one of her compounds hoping to uncover her sister's diabolical scheme. However what she learns frightens her with what her evil sibling has set in motion.
The latest Outcast Season (see Unknown and Undone) thriller is an entreating Warden fantasy. The story line focuses on the collateral damage caused by the misuse of power, but loses the opportunity to profoundly dig into why and how the sisters mentally and emotionally traversed different roads (nature vs. nurture). Still the story line is fast-paced and filled with action as readers anticipate round three between Cassiel and Pearl.
Harriet Klausner
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