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: 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: The Iron Daughter

Love & Betrayal

A Faery World

Gone Mad

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

I reluctantly picked up Julie Kagawa's The Iron Daughter last fall. I say reluctantly because I didn't like The Iron King as much as I had hoped I would. Also, I'm very definitely Team Puck. And everyone told me that if I liked Puck, I wouldn't like this book. That it was more for Ash fans.

Well... after finishing the book (after having it on hold for over half a year), I can say I don't exactly agree. This book made me love Puck more and hate Ash more. Which is fine. And when I say I'm Team Puck that doesn't mean I'm rooting for a Puck/Meghan relationship. In fact, Puck deserves better. In my humble opinion, that is. I adore Robin Goodfellow and all his trickery.

My biggest issue with the book is that things fall into place a bit too easily. "If only we had..." "Oh what luck... We do!" Once is fine. Twice I can live with. But a handful of times... it bugs me. Meghan is our heroine, along with her friends Puck, Ash, Grim, and more. And too often things are just handed to her.

That being said, I did enjoy the book. The way the Iron Court was introduced in book one was fascinating, and I'm enjoying learning more about them. I can't wait for book three, The Iron Queen and book four, The Iron Knight. And if you love these, be sure to check out both the Winter's Passage and Summer's Crossing novellas (available in ebook only).

(I feel like book three's title spoiled me way back when I was reading book one.)

Be sure to follow Julie Kagawa on Twitter (she's a funny lady!) and check out her blog. I love the posts with Iron Fey comics.

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.