Book Review: The Keeper

Abisina is ready to assume the role of Keeper that has been her destiny, leading the future of the Watersmeet community. But the survival of the land depends on the north and south - the centaurs, dwarves, fairies, humans, and fauns - joining together to confront a gathering evil. The rift that opened in the Mountains Eternal has continued to spew forth terrible creatures: uberwolves, leviathan-birds, minotaurs. Abisina knows that the most challenging creature of all has arrived - though what shape it will take is still a mystery.

She sets out to bring the folk together to confront this unknown evil, but the land has never been more divided. As she faces hostile centaurs, ambitious fairies, the destruction of the only home she's ever known, and separation from those who love her, Abisina doubts if she has the strength to be the leader that everyone needs. Even the power of the Keeper's necklace doesn't seem to be enough - and when that is taken from her, she's left on the brink of hopelessness. Can Abisina's faith in the power of love, acceptance, and unity that she's learned from her friends and family survive this final test?

The Keeper is the third book in Ellen Jensen Abbott's Watersmeet trilogy. It's a high fantasy adventure with humans, dwarves, centaurs, fauns, fairies, minotaurs, and more.

Abisina is on a quest to unite Watersmeet with the other lands both north and south of the mountains. They've been separated for so long and are opposed to be one people that Abisina certainly has her work cut out for her. As if that isn't enough, the big bad is back, and he's determined to win once and for all.

Abisina has her friends and allies, but not all are to be trusted. She's separated from family and concerned for their safety. Parts of this story are touching and parts are terribly sad. Not everyone lives to see if Abisina succeeds in her mission.

I really enjoyed the conclusion to this wonderful story. I'd been waiting for well over a year for it. It certainly doesn't disappoint. I couldn't put this down and gobbled it up in only a day. I'm going to miss Abisina, Watersmeet, and all of the friends I met along this journey. If you haven't read this treasure, be sure to pick up a copy soon. At least you won't have to wait in between novels.

Book Review: Brighid's Quest

Torn between the possibilities . . .

Fleeing her centaur clan's increasingly militant beliefs, Brighid Dhianna has begun to find peace and acceptance among the humans of Clan MacCallan. Still, she agrees to leave her newly formed friendships to guide her clan chieftain's grieving brother home.

As she journeys, Brighid discovers that the long-dormant Shaman blood that runs so thickly in her veins will no longer be silenced. As seductive new powers begin to beckon, Brighid glimpses a future that is more impossible -- and more magical -- than any she could have dared to imagine.

But when tragedy summons her back to the Centaur Plains, Brighid must make a decision that will affect not only her friendship with the humans, but the centaur herd and indeed the world. For the Great Goddess Epona has set her on a new path that demands everything she has to give.

When the whole world is turning to her for help, healing the heart of a warrior doesn't sound so daunting . . .

Brighid's Quest by PC Cast picks up shortly after Elphame's Choice ended.  We met Brighid in Elphame's Choice. She is a strong centaur huntress of Clan MacCallan. While she was very good friends with Elphame, she bumped heads with Elphame's brother, Cuchulainn. When Cuchulainn goes off to kill the rest of the Fomorians, Brighid follows along to help him.

I enjoyed this novel even more than it's predecessor. As Brighid and "Cu" go on this journey they find themselves enjoying each other's company, making a complete 180 from how things were in Elphame's Choice. I enjoyed reading their romance and adventure. Brighid is given the chance to become High Shaman to the centaurs. And after denying her shaman blood for so long, this choice is huge.

Many new characters are added to this already large cast, including Ciara... one of the large group of New Fomorians. Book three in this series was supposed to be Ciara's Destiny. It was put on hold to finish the "Divine" trilogy and then again with The House of Night series. But I'm holding out hope that it'll be published. (I've been waiting five and a half years.) 

Definitely read this series. You'll love them!

Book Review: Elphame's Choice

I was marked from birth as belonging to the Goddess Epona--but that didn't make my life easy.

Because of my "blessings," I was set apart, worshipped, unable to make real connections with others. Then came the Feeling, and with it a glimpse of my destiny. It led me to the MacCallen castle of legend, deserted since the terrible Fomorian war.

I followed the wordless call to breathe new life into a place long dead, but I didn't realize there were dark remnants of the war lingering in the nearby forest--victims and survivors who remained hidden. Others marked as different, powerful. Feared.

My choice was now twofold. I could keep to the happiness and safety of my newfound home, or I could choose a path that led to something more terrible, more dangerous, more thrilling than anything I'd ever expected.

And in that future I might never be alone again. . .

I read Elphame's Choice by PC Cast for the first time about six years ago. It was the fourth book I had read by her and my favorite of those four. Elphame is marked by the goddess Epona. And her mother before her was also marked. Her father a shape-shifting, shaman, centaur. Being half human/half centaur, she resembles a satyr. Being touched by her goddess, she is worshiped by all in her land. She lives in the world of Partholon, a mix of Grecian and Celtic mythology. This is the world of Partholon over a hundred years after the events in Divine by Mistake, Divine by Choice, and Divine by Blood.

Elphame sets off on a journey, which takes her to MacCallen Castle where part of the Fomorian war took place (in the Divine trilogy). The castle was destroyed in this war against the Fomorians, a group of bloodthirsty creatures (kind of a mix between vampire and gargoyle). So Elphame and her group work at restoring the castle to it's former beauty. She befriends the centaur Brighid and a healer named Brenna. I enjoyed all three of these characters and their friendship.

Elphame's brother, Cuchulainn, has a premonition that she will find her life mate while on this mission. She meets Lochlan, a half human/half Fomorian, and falls for him. Can Partholon accept this race of New Fomorians after what the Fomorians did a century earlier? I really enjoyed Elphame and Lochlan's romance, and even more than that I enjoyed Cuchulainn and Brenna.

When I read this book, it was published by Luna and placed in the adult sci-fi/fantasy section in stores. Since then, with the success of The House of Night books, it has been re-published by Harlequin Teen and placed in YA... without any editing. It surprised me as there were a few rather spicy scenes, and it's definitely not for the younger teen crowd. If you enjoy fantasy, be sure to check this one out!

Book Review: The Centaur's Daughter

Abisina had found a home in Watersmeet – the community her father led until he was killed by the evil White Worm. But now, Watersmeet is as divided as the home she fled as an outcast. The land faces a new threat, and an uneasy alliance between the humans and the creatures will have to be formed to survive. If Abisina doesn’t become the leader that Watersmeet needs, she may lose everything. But can she take her father’s place? This powerful and moving fantasy deals with timely issues about identity, prejudice, and war. It is the sequel to Watersmeet. You can read chapter one here.

I enjoyed The Centaur’s Daughter by Ellen Jensen Abbott even more than Watersmeet, the first book in this trilogy. In Abisina’s homeland, she is outcast for being dark skinned and dark haired. The only reason she is allowed to live is because she is the daughter of a healer. Dwarves, centaurs, fauns, and the like are feared. Abisina had fled from her homeland to Watersmeet, a wonderful land where people of all colors (and races) live in harmony. Along the way her life is saved by dwarves, and she learns that not all creatures are meant to be feared. Except the centaurs she runs into that try to eat her

Once in Watersmeet, she finds her father, the leader of this land… and a centaur. He’s a shapeshifter, and switches between man and centaur. Just when things start to go really well, a war comes upon them, leaving them leaderless, which is where The Centaur’s Daughter picks up. Even with their new leader, they’re falling apart. They are overwhelmed with refugees and leaving to forage becomes too dangerous. Abisina and her closest friends need the help of those in the southern lands. So she makes the dangerous trek back near her homelands.

Despite the fact that this series is fantasy, it relates to real life a lot. Abisina, like any teenager, is lost, trying to find out who she is. She lives in a world where she is treated unfair. Because of her dark skin, she is called “dwarf dirty.” A phrase used similarly to “mudblood” of Harry Potter and any derogatory term in our world. And war… something that has happened in most, if not all, countries at some point in history.

Ellen Jensen Abbott grew up reading The Chronicles of Narnia and is a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings, both inspiration for this wonderful trilogy. But, as with CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, she also found inspiration in centuries old folklore and mythology. If you’re a fantasy lover, then you’ll enjoy these. I can't wait for book three!

Book Review: Watersmeet

I bought WATERSMEET by Ellen Jensen Abbott a while back since I was going to be meeting her. She was very sweet and very happy to meet her readers. I started the book before the signing and put it down a few chapters in. That was months ago. And I finally picked it back up the other day.

And please don't think that that has anything to do with the book. It's me... 

I really enjoyed this story. I was a bit hesitant and worried that I wouldn't. Abisina leaves her home in search for Watersmeet (it took me a long time to figure out why this place was named Watersmeet, despite how obvious it was) and her father. In her home, she is an outcast because of her dark hair, and she is only saved because her mother is a great healer. The southern part of the country is a place where humans hate centaurs, dwarves, fauns... and even those of them that don't look like Vran. It is a place where differences are not tolerated. After Charach arrives, chaos begins, and Abisina's journey begins. 

Now why was I worried that I would not enjoy the book? Abisina's journey begins by chapter three or four, and I've found that I'm not much a fan of high fantasy books about a big, long journey. So I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Along the way Abisina befriends dwarves, is put in danger by centaurs, and watches fauns dance. And when she finally reaches her destination, she learns things are not as she grew up believing. 

There are a lot of similarities with this mythical world and our own. Abisina grew up in a place where differences aren't tolerated, and when she finds herself in a place where people of all colors, races, and species live as one, she has trouble accepting it. Children who are taught to hate, will hate. In addition to this message, WATERSMEET also teaches that eyes can be opened to acceptance.

This story was beautifully told, with a rich message everyone needs to hear. There were some twists and turns. Things I didn't expect. And things that I did expect, that didn't happen. I love how Ms Abbott left it open for a sequel. I really hope there's a sequel.

ETA: And this is what I get for not checking sooner. There is a sequel. Details here. Sadly, you can't find this book in stores, so click the first link in this post and order from Amazon, asap!

Synopsis:

From her birth, Abisina has been outcast--for the color of her eyes and skin, and for her lack of a father. Only her mother's status as the village healer has kept her safe. But when a mythic leader arrives, Abisina's life is ripped apart. She escapes alone to try to find the father and the home she has never known. In a world of extremes, from the deepest prejudice to the greatest bonds of duty and loyalty, Abisina must find her own way and decide where her true hope lies.