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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I have read nearly all her books in this series. After reading The Wizard of London and being sorely disappointed in it, I was wary of this one. But it was so, so much better than some of the books in this series. I would rate it at 3.5 stars.
Bah! Bah, I say! Another Elemental Masters book in which nothing happens.
In a book where a father is trying to put his dead wife’s soul into his daughter’s body and slaughters his loyal household servants so they can join his zombie army it still feels slow.
This is basically a book that is ALL tell and no show and I WAS BORED. The romance was bah, too, mostly because it was so dull I didn’t care about anything.
In a book where a father is trying to put his dead wife’s soul into his daughter’s body and slaughters his loyal household servants so they can join his zombie army it still feels slow.
This is basically a book that is ALL tell and no show and I WAS BORED. The romance was bah, too, mostly because it was so dull I didn’t care about anything.
Don't be fooled by the sweet looking covers, this series is filled with very dark tales. Lackey gives us another great heroine, Susanne, a damsel in distress that holds her own, interacting with several of the series regulars. Set in 1914, this well paced Elemental story blends necromancy and dark magic into the ominous build up to WW1 through early 1915, when the realization of just how horrid a war it will be sets in. The images of gruesome trench warfare and reanimated rotting dead work very well together and give this entry a particularly sinister vibe.
Unnatural Issue by Mercedes Lackey
Daw Books, 2011
361 pages
Fantasy; Fairy Tale
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Although Mercedes Lackey is a prolific writer of fantasy, I'm really only familiar with her 500 Kingdoms series and her Elemental Masters series, mostly because they draw heavily on fairy tales. That makes me feel somewhat bad that I haven't explored her oeuvre more but happy whenever a new book comes out such as this one. This is another companion to the Elemental Masters, drawing upon the fairy tale "Donkeyskin" (yep, the same story that influenced Robin McKinley's Deerskin). While technically considered the seventh, it takes place before at least one (Phoenix and Ashes) and incorporates characters from several of the other books, expanding on the magical partnerships described in earlier books.
The book opens with Earth Elemental Master Richard Whitestone heading home to see his beloved pregnant wife; alas she had died several hours before he arrived. Although the baby survived, he disowns her and locks himself in his rooms. The child, Susanne, grows up in an awkward place: not quite gentry but not fully a servant. She also takes on the responsibilities of caring for the land that her father had neglected. All seems fine until Richard catches sight of Susanne and realizes how much she looks like his dead wife. He seizes on a plan to bring his wife back to life and to stuff her spirit into Susanne's body using the dark arts of necromancy. When Susanne discovers part of his evil machinations, she flees and eventually receives enough magical aid to confront her father.
That's only half the story though as WWI breaks out and time is spent on explaining how the war is polluting the soil on which it is fought and how it is decimating their magical ranks and abilities. Now I liked this part but I thought it detracted from Susanne's story. I would have liked either a shorter story that more closely focused on her or a longer story that could weave in the bits about WWI better. As it was, I felt only partly satisfied which each half.
I did prefer the bits that drew from "Donkeyskin." Richard Whitestone was very crazed and his menace was well conveyed as was his patronizing sexist attitudes that contributed to his downfall. Among the new people she meets after fleeing are Lord Peter Almsley and his manservant Garrick, who I've read are supposed to be based on Lord Peter Wimsey and the amazing Bunter (who I adore) and have been tasked with tracking down the necromancer. I really enjoyed them although I haven't read enough Lord Peter Wimsey to give an opinion on how much they owe to the earlier creation.
Overall: A good addition to the Elemental Masters series with some interesting information about necromancy and the darker side of magic. For newcomers, I would probably start with an earlier book because this one isn't as gripping as, say, Phoenix and Ashes.
Daw Books, 2011
361 pages
Fantasy; Fairy Tale
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Although Mercedes Lackey is a prolific writer of fantasy, I'm really only familiar with her 500 Kingdoms series and her Elemental Masters series, mostly because they draw heavily on fairy tales. That makes me feel somewhat bad that I haven't explored her oeuvre more but happy whenever a new book comes out such as this one. This is another companion to the Elemental Masters, drawing upon the fairy tale "Donkeyskin" (yep, the same story that influenced Robin McKinley's Deerskin). While technically considered the seventh, it takes place before at least one (Phoenix and Ashes) and incorporates characters from several of the other books, expanding on the magical partnerships described in earlier books.
The book opens with Earth Elemental Master Richard Whitestone heading home to see his beloved pregnant wife; alas she had died several hours before he arrived. Although the baby survived, he disowns her and locks himself in his rooms. The child, Susanne, grows up in an awkward place: not quite gentry but not fully a servant. She also takes on the responsibilities of caring for the land that her father had neglected. All seems fine until Richard catches sight of Susanne and realizes how much she looks like his dead wife. He seizes on a plan to bring his wife back to life and to stuff her spirit into Susanne's body using the dark arts of necromancy. When Susanne discovers part of his evil machinations, she flees and eventually receives enough magical aid to confront her father.
That's only half the story though as WWI breaks out and time is spent on explaining how the war is polluting the soil on which it is fought and how it is decimating their magical ranks and abilities. Now I liked this part but I thought it detracted from Susanne's story. I would have liked either a shorter story that more closely focused on her or a longer story that could weave in the bits about WWI better. As it was, I felt only partly satisfied which each half.
I did prefer the bits that drew from "Donkeyskin." Richard Whitestone was very crazed and his menace was well conveyed as was his patronizing sexist attitudes that contributed to his downfall. Among the new people she meets after fleeing are Lord Peter Almsley and his manservant Garrick, who I've read are supposed to be based on Lord Peter Wimsey and the amazing Bunter (who I adore) and have been tasked with tracking down the necromancer. I really enjoyed them although I haven't read enough Lord Peter Wimsey to give an opinion on how much they owe to the earlier creation.
Overall: A good addition to the Elemental Masters series with some interesting information about necromancy and the darker side of magic. For newcomers, I would probably start with an earlier book because this one isn't as gripping as, say, Phoenix and Ashes.
I think I need to stop reading Merecedes Lackey novels. Don't get me wrong, she's one of my favorite authors. I grew up reading the Valdemar novels (and still have a crush on Vanyel), but it seems like that her recent books are missing something. The Elemental Masters series started out strong. (I particularly enjoyed her take on Cinderella), but you can tell that she's running out of stories to use.
Unnatural Issue uses a lesser-known fairy tale about a father who decides to marry his daughter. Of course, since we're in a universe with elemental magic, said father is an earth mage, and turns to necromancy. The story would be much better if the daughter was an interesting character, but Susanne, beyond her being trained by Puck, has no personality at all. "Oh woes is me, I am not a servant, nor am I gentry! What should I do!" In true cliche fashion, she falls in love with a man, who also happens to be an earth mage. Even this character is fairly boring. Honestly, the only ones I cared about at all were Peter, our token water master who spies about England searching for the necromancer, and the necromancer himself. Just to shake things up, everything leads to World War I.
Look, the Elemental Masters is a decent enough fantasy series, but Mercedes Lackey has lost her edge. Stick to her earlier works. They're not free of cliche, but at least they don't leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Unnatural Issue uses a lesser-known fairy tale about a father who decides to marry his daughter. Of course, since we're in a universe with elemental magic, said father is an earth mage, and turns to necromancy. The story would be much better if the daughter was an interesting character, but Susanne, beyond her being trained by Puck, has no personality at all. "Oh woes is me, I am not a servant, nor am I gentry! What should I do!" In true cliche fashion, she falls in love with a man, who also happens to be an earth mage. Even this character is fairly boring. Honestly, the only ones I cared about at all were Peter, our token water master who spies about England searching for the necromancer, and the necromancer himself. Just to shake things up, everything leads to World War I.
Look, the Elemental Masters is a decent enough fantasy series, but Mercedes Lackey has lost her edge. Stick to her earlier works. They're not free of cliche, but at least they don't leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Unnatural Issue by Mercedes Lackey
Daw Books, 2011
361 pages
Fantasy; Fairy Tale
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Although Mercedes Lackey is a prolific writer of fantasy, I'm really only familiar with her 500 Kingdoms series and her Elemental Masters series, mostly because they draw heavily on fairy tales. That makes me feel somewhat bad that I haven't explored her oeuvre more but happy whenever a new book comes out such as this one. This is another companion to the Elemental Masters, drawing upon the fairy tale "Donkeyskin" (yep, the same story that influenced Robin McKinley's Deerskin). While technically considered the seventh, it takes place before at least one (Phoenix and Ashes) and incorporates characters from several of the other books, expanding on the magical partnerships described in earlier books.
The book opens with Earth Elemental Master Richard Whitestone heading home to see his beloved pregnant wife; alas she had died several hours before he arrived. Although the baby survived, he disowns her and locks himself in his rooms. The child, Susanne, grows up in an awkward place: not quite gentry but not fully a servant. She also takes on the responsibilities of caring for the land that her father had neglected. All seems fine until Richard catches sight of Susanne and realizes how much she looks like his dead wife. He seizes on a plan to bring his wife back to life and to stuff her spirit into Susanne's body using the dark arts of necromancy. When Susanne discovers part of his evil machinations, she flees and eventually receives enough magical aid to confront her father.
That's only half the story though as WWI breaks out and time is spent on explaining how the war is polluting the soil on which it is fought and how it is decimating their magical ranks and abilities. Now I liked this part but I thought it detracted from Susanne's story. I would have liked either a shorter story that more closely focused on her or a longer story that could weave in the bits about WWI better. As it was, I felt only partly satisfied which each half.
I did prefer the bits that drew from "Donkeyskin." Richard Whitestone was very crazed and his menace was well conveyed as was his patronizing sexist attitudes that contributed to his downfall. Among the new people she meets after fleeing are Lord Peter Almsley and his manservant Garrick, who I've read are supposed to be based on Lord Peter Wimsey and the amazing Bunter (who I adore) and have been tasked with tracking down the necromancer. I really enjoyed them although I haven't read enough Lord Peter Wimsey to give an opinion on how much they owe to the earlier creation.
Overall: A good addition to the Elemental Masters series with some interesting information about necromancy and the darker side of magic. For newcomers, I would probably start with an earlier book because this one isn't as gripping as, say, Phoenix and Ashes.
Daw Books, 2011
361 pages
Fantasy; Fairy Tale
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Although Mercedes Lackey is a prolific writer of fantasy, I'm really only familiar with her 500 Kingdoms series and her Elemental Masters series, mostly because they draw heavily on fairy tales. That makes me feel somewhat bad that I haven't explored her oeuvre more but happy whenever a new book comes out such as this one. This is another companion to the Elemental Masters, drawing upon the fairy tale "Donkeyskin" (yep, the same story that influenced Robin McKinley's Deerskin). While technically considered the seventh, it takes place before at least one (Phoenix and Ashes) and incorporates characters from several of the other books, expanding on the magical partnerships described in earlier books.
The book opens with Earth Elemental Master Richard Whitestone heading home to see his beloved pregnant wife; alas she had died several hours before he arrived. Although the baby survived, he disowns her and locks himself in his rooms. The child, Susanne, grows up in an awkward place: not quite gentry but not fully a servant. She also takes on the responsibilities of caring for the land that her father had neglected. All seems fine until Richard catches sight of Susanne and realizes how much she looks like his dead wife. He seizes on a plan to bring his wife back to life and to stuff her spirit into Susanne's body using the dark arts of necromancy. When Susanne discovers part of his evil machinations, she flees and eventually receives enough magical aid to confront her father.
That's only half the story though as WWI breaks out and time is spent on explaining how the war is polluting the soil on which it is fought and how it is decimating their magical ranks and abilities. Now I liked this part but I thought it detracted from Susanne's story. I would have liked either a shorter story that more closely focused on her or a longer story that could weave in the bits about WWI better. As it was, I felt only partly satisfied which each half.
I did prefer the bits that drew from "Donkeyskin." Richard Whitestone was very crazed and his menace was well conveyed as was his patronizing sexist attitudes that contributed to his downfall. Among the new people she meets after fleeing are Lord Peter Almsley and his manservant Garrick, who I've read are supposed to be based on Lord Peter Wimsey and the amazing Bunter (who I adore) and have been tasked with tracking down the necromancer. I really enjoyed them although I haven't read enough Lord Peter Wimsey to give an opinion on how much they owe to the earlier creation.
Overall: A good addition to the Elemental Masters series with some interesting information about necromancy and the darker side of magic. For newcomers, I would probably start with an earlier book because this one isn't as gripping as, say, Phoenix and Ashes.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
A bit predictable, but the growth in Peter Almsley and Suzanne character.
I like the idea/message that more people need to see past their own walls, to help the world in need. Also, the message that you can't always protect the ones you love and that sometimes protecting them will lose you their respect and love. Maybe 3 1/2.
I like the idea/message that more people need to see past their own walls, to help the world in need. Also, the message that you can't always protect the ones you love and that sometimes protecting them will lose you their respect and love. Maybe 3 1/2.
What happens when a good Magician goes bad? That's what's explored in this novel in the Elemental Mages world.
The heroine, Susanne, is the daughter of a mother who died at birth, and a reclusive, Earth Master father, buried in grief after the death of his beloved. She's been raised by servants, and taught herself magic. Father has no clue, and that turns out to be to Susanne's advantage.
This novel takes us, among other places, to the trenches of France during WWI, and has lots of gore and horrifying elements. I liked it, but found some sections hard to get through.
The heroine, Susanne, is the daughter of a mother who died at birth, and a reclusive, Earth Master father, buried in grief after the death of his beloved. She's been raised by servants, and taught herself magic. Father has no clue, and that turns out to be to Susanne's advantage.
This novel takes us, among other places, to the trenches of France during WWI, and has lots of gore and horrifying elements. I liked it, but found some sections hard to get through.
I could not figure out what fairy-tale this was supposed to be spun off of. Every other one has been so absolutely obvious to me, and I kept hoping there'd be a moment where the penny would drop and illumination would open my eyes. Nope. I mean, it seemed like it wanted to be "Little Catskin" in some places, and then it would hare off in a weird direction I hadn't expected. Maybe I just never read the incest aspect in the version of "Little Catskin" I read as a child. And a lot of "EW" moments in this partcular volume.