Bitter Moon I: Triane's Son Ascending (Paperback)

~ Amy Lane (Author)
Key Phrases: ribbon pole, Old Man Hills, Hammer Pass, Wrinkle Creek (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

All is not right in the land of the three moons.

From the moment Yarri Moon was born, Torrant heard the bells of joy whenever she was near. But the world can be a cruel place, even for the moon destined, and when an evil born of ignorance destroys their families and their home in the heart of Clough, Torrant and Yarri learn first hand how ugly prejudice against the Goddess moon can be.

After a terrible journey, they find shelter with Yarri's family in Eiran, a land of easy tolerances and joy. However, as Torrant grows, so does his anger at the forces that destroyed their peace, their home, and their family back in Clough.

Torrant is a healer and a poet, and he has the magic gift of truth. As he waits for Yarri to come of age, he sees, first hand, how the same beliefs that destroyed their home are poisoning the lands around him, and corrupting the hearts of the people within.

Ultimately, Torrant is faced with a choice: He can claim Yarri and they can live the love that has been promised them since the beginning, or he can take his one, most terrifying and secret gift into the land of Clough and remove, in one dreadful strike, the evil that has cost him and his beloved so very much.

But choosing vengeance over love exacts its own terrible price, and Torrant may find that the part of him that was destined to be loved by Yarri is the part that's annihilated in his quest to make her safe.

About the Author

Amy Lane teaches high school, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com or www.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.

Product Details

• Paperback: 514 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (January 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595484174
• ISBN-13: 978-0595484171
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,177,842 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book - Great Writer, February 16, 2008

By	ismarah "Too clever for my own good, but not ... (UK) - See all my reviews

This is a solid, well thought out, well written, amusing, sweet, clever and heartbreaking book.

Don't be fooled by the cover or the occasional typo - this is quality stuff.
If you've read Jacqueline Carey, JR Ward, Michelle Sagara, or Ann Bishop this should appeal to you.

The characters are well defined and remain true to themselves and the landscape is clear, descriptions vivid and well done.

The only problem about being hooked on a writer like Amy Lane is that unlike some of the more known authors out there she has to earn a living and therefore takes a little while to finish each new book, so the sequel is a little way off yet.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bitter Moon is Bittersweet!, July 7, 2009

By	C.S. 'Archer' Marks ('Alterra, the World that Is') - See all my reviews

Amy Lane is best known for her very popular paranormal romance series, which I have not yet had the pleasure of reading. Those of you who follow her work will recognize that `Bitter Moon' is a venture into a different realm...sort of. Fantasy takes many forms, but this one is truly unique in my admittedly limited experience, and I mean that in a good way.

Bitter Moon IS a fantasy, but it is also a romance. It has strong elements of erotica, and some of the graphic violence found in `milder' horror tomes. It is its own unique mixture rolled and pressed and formed into a fantasy that is at once intriguing, disturbing, and uplifting.

A good reviewer tries to give the reader accurate and even-handed feedback. I will give my straightforward impressions of the book (having just read the last page five minutes ago):
--The writing is of fine quality, expressive and rich, with a good flow and style that makes for an easy read. The author does a great job of `peaking and tapering' the story so that one is not overwhelmed.
--It is obvious that the author loves her craft. She loves words, and she knows how to use them effectively. The result is a story well told.
--There are many characters, but each is distinctive enough to avoid confusing the reader. Some of those characters are real gems!
--There is considerable adult content. This is not a book for children or YA (examples of `adult' themes include physical/emotional/sexual abuse, alternative sexuality, abortion, etc.).
--The descriptions of the world (and the events unfolding within it) are well done, placing the reader in the scene admirably. Some of them are absolutely marvelous!
--This author has great empathy with people, she quite obviously loves and understands children, and she knows how to convey human behavior--strong emotion in particular.
--The book was written with a sentimental and loving hand. I found myself getting caught up in the lives of the characters, particularly Aylan.
--The use of shape-shifting is wonderful, and adds a lot to the uniqueness of the story.
--The good people are really good, and the bad people are really bad (and deserve to die). I found little grey area with most characters--they were either loveable or loathsome. It will be interesting to see what happens when we finally get to know the uber-villain, `Rath.' I have high expectations.
--If you are looking for traditional `sword and sorcery,' you may not find it here.
--Romance readers will love it, as it is occasionally melodramatic, but even those who prefer a more conservative approach will be moved by certain scenes.
--It will be best appreciated by the socially liberated mind, and is probably not a good choice for the `Christian fantasy book club.' I found nothing offensive in it, as the adult themes are handled with sensitivity and taste. The emphasis on sexuality becomes increasingly prominent as the book progresses (normal in a 'coming of age' story) until it is perhaps a little too prominent for my admittedly sheltered-and-boring experience to relate to.

Probably the biggest complaint I have with it is the melodramatic aspect. Even though it is well done, I found myself getting a little weary of the near-constant barrage of strong emotion and psychological conflict, and it `dulled the blade of my empathy' a little bit. That might say more about me than it does about the book, though. I have the same difficulty with many romantic novels.

This author writes well, and she writes from the heart. This is a good story about human frailties and strengths, about the nature of love, and about the havoc that comes from the restriction of freedom. It's about the evil of repressive thinking and the importance of family. It's a 'romantic fantasy with political and social overtones.'

Fortunately, I've got the next one here already. Bring on the villain, says I!

Note: I struggled with the rating on this one, as it is only the first part of the story. I know I liked it, but did I love it? `Four-and-a-half stars' isn't an option. After a debate with myself, I decided to round up. The quality of the writing decided me. --CSM :-)

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amy Lane continues to Amaze me! Superb Story, A Must Read, February 14, 2008

By	Monica Chaney "Cibrvrjn" (Hilo, Hawaii) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Again, Amy Lane has brought her characters to life, leaping right off the pages and into my heart. This complex story of Life and Love is told with such insight and tenderness, it makes you wish you were honored enough to be a part of it. The depth of the characters is so well portrayed, it's amazing she could accomplish it in the words of a single novel. I wish I could do it justice with mere words, but you just have to read it. The story is interesting, intriguing, and the strength of the continuity carries you through the last page, leaving you wanting more. I look forward to Bittermoon II with great anticipation.