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kristyloves2read's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book years ago and somehow never finished the series so I decided to start a book one in order to re-read the series and finish it. I had forgotten how good this book was! Cicily bad ass and this is only the beginning! I can’t wait to read the rest.
hixxup79's review against another edition
4.0
I am very partial to books about Faeries, Vampires, Shifters, witches etc etc. This one had them all over the place. Cicely a magic born witch, had been a drifter since her childhood, due to her bloodwhore junkie mother. A call home brings Cicely back to New Forest, back to her home, her family, and her lover Grieve. But when she gets there she doesn't know that magic born folk are disappearing all over the place, but then soon learns that the Queen of the Indigo Court Myst, the first Vampiric Fae, has made her home in New Forest, and has transformed most of the Fae living in the forest into her legion of Vampiric Fae, including Grieve. Cicely and her cousin Rhianna, and Rhianna's boyfriend Lee, and a Dreamwalker called Kaylin. Gather together to form a small band of magic users on the side of good, to help stop Myst taking over New Forest. Along with the sly backhanded help of the Vampires, and the Fae Queen of the Rushes and Rivers, she gets into deeper waters than she ever intended. SO while, trying to rescue her friends and family, and her lover, helping out the vampires and the rest of the fae not transformed, Cicely also has to learn about her own background. Man, if you ever think you got it rough, imagine what its like for Cicely. This book was intriguing, and a new world to explore. It reminded me of a modern day version of the 80's movie "Legend" except without Darkness and just add more Faeries into the mix. This is a series I will continue to read, and from how this book ended I will continue to enjoy. I hope if you read this book you will enjoy it too. :)
stephlunatic's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't dislike but certainly would not recommend. There is far better out there.
keishamae85's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
After reading The Otherworld series (which still took me 3 books to actually like) this is the second series by Yasmine Galenorn I have tried and just do not like. It is like both series (This one and The Wild Hunt) tries to be the OW but is like the siblings the parents didn't want so they gave them up for adoption because they weren't perfect. Vampires referred to as Vein Lords made me laugh so hard I am actually surprised this isn't something someone hasn't tried to use to describe a penis yet or a FMC in a RH. This book was just horrible. I will not be completing this series or trying anything else by YG.
kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
First in the Indigo Court urban fantasy series revolving around Cicely Waters, a young woman with power.
My Take
I know that Galenorn is the same author of the Otherworld series, and this series is also one of fantasy, fae, vampires, and shifters. But it's different. It doesn't feel the same. It doesn't read the same. There's a darker cast to this series with a lot fewer warm, familial characters.
On the whole I do like the concept of this new series, but I have doubts about Cicely and how Galenorn writes this character. She's been around vampires her whole life, and yet she makes this stupid deal with them. I know she didn't have much time or choice, but she should have known enough to examine it very carefully. So, in many respects, I don't have much sympathy for her.
But I also question their interpretation of the contract. We only know of two stipulations on the contract. But as soon as Cicely signs it, all of a sudden the vampires go wild with all sorts of new rules that Cicely doesn't protest. WTF??? What is with the deals the various vampires make in this story??
Cicely is twenty-six years old with almost twenty years of surviving on the streets. So why does she act so stupidly at the Barrow? So stupidly in allowing Grieve to bite her? Why doesn't she make herself a charm that will help her resist Lannan? Why does she behave so immaturely in so many of her actions?
These stupid out-of-character actions don't lead me to think much of Galenorn's writing.
The Story
It's been nine years since Cicely last set foot in New Forest and now members of the Thirteen Moons Society are turning up dead or missing. The family she has left needs her help.
But Heather is kidnapped before she can return home. Something is different, wrong, about Grieve.
And Cicely and Rhiannon are forced to approach the Vampire Nation. And forced to perform for them.
The Characters
Cicely Waters is a witch who learns in this story that she is also Cambrya Fae. Ulean is Cicely's Air Elemental, bound to her service. Krystal was her drug-addicted mother. Aunt Heather and cousin Rhiannon Roland were Cicely's only sense of true family she had growing up. Rhiannon teaches at the New Forest Conservatory, a school for the specially gifted.
Grieve has been Cicely's friend since she was very young; nine years ago, he wanted more. Her first love. He's also a prince in the Court of Rivers and Rushes, nephew to Lainule, the Queen of the Court, and born of the Cambyra Fae, a Shifting One. Chatter is his best friend and cousin, but not noble. Cicely learns that a Fae named Wrath is her father.
Anadey runs the town diner and is a shamanic witch who can work with all four elements. Peyton Moon Runner is her daughter as well as the short order cook. Her father, Rex, was a werepuma, and Peyton's half-breed status does her no favors. She dreams of starting a business, Magical Investigations, as a psychic investigator. Tyne, another Thirteen Moons Society member, is Marta's grandson. Jim Fischer is Marta's lawyer. Marta was an ancient witch who led the Thirteen Moons Society and had a successful magic practice in town.
Kaylin Chen speaks to ghosts, and he dreamwalks, possessed by a night-veil demon.
Geoffrey the Great is the Northwest Regent for the Vampire Nation, turned when he was a Mongolian lord. Leo Bryne is Geoffrey's day runner, a witch with a talent for herbs and healing, and Rhiannon's boyfriend. Elise is his sister and a Thirteen Moons Society member---she's vanished as well. Crawl is the Blood Oracle, a thing twisted and corrupt, a vampire who gave it up to become seer to the Queen. He sired Regina and Lannan. Regina Altos is the Emissary to the Crimson Court; her brother, Lannan, is a professor at the Conservatory, and also a vampire. A sadistic, cruel one who delights in the humiliation of others.
Dane was a tattoo artist and one of her mothers' many, many boyfriends, but he taught Cicely a number of useful tricks. Shy and Cherish are a young Fae couple in love, a Romeo and Juliet of a love and just as doomed, part of the Najeeling Prophecy.
The Vein Lords, a.k.a., the Crimson Court, a.k.a., the Vampire Nation, are the vampires. Myst is the Queen of the Indigo Court, a vampiric fae.
The Cover
The cover is deep purples and brilliant greens with a midnight forest and an owl silhouetted against a full moon with Cicely in her low-cut jeans, cropped knit top showcasing her wolf tattoo, and her back leather jacket. It's a confident look on Cicely's face, daring us to disbelieve.
The title is a blend of danger and antagonist---Night Myst---danger.
My Take
I know that Galenorn is the same author of the Otherworld series, and this series is also one of fantasy, fae, vampires, and shifters. But it's different. It doesn't feel the same. It doesn't read the same. There's a darker cast to this series with a lot fewer warm, familial characters.
On the whole I do like the concept of this new series, but I have doubts about Cicely and how Galenorn writes this character. She's been around vampires her whole life, and yet she makes this stupid deal with them. I know she didn't have much time or choice, but she should have known enough to examine it very carefully. So, in many respects, I don't have much sympathy for her.
But I also question their interpretation of the contract. We only know of two stipulations on the contract. But as soon as Cicely signs it, all of a sudden the vampires go wild with all sorts of new rules that Cicely doesn't protest. WTF??? What is with the deals the various vampires make in this story??
Cicely is twenty-six years old with almost twenty years of surviving on the streets. So why does she act so stupidly at the Barrow? So stupidly in allowing Grieve to bite her? Why doesn't she make herself a charm that will help her resist Lannan? Why does she behave so immaturely in so many of her actions?
These stupid out-of-character actions don't lead me to think much of Galenorn's writing.
The Story
It's been nine years since Cicely last set foot in New Forest and now members of the Thirteen Moons Society are turning up dead or missing. The family she has left needs her help.
But Heather is kidnapped before she can return home. Something is different, wrong, about Grieve.
And Cicely and Rhiannon are forced to approach the Vampire Nation. And forced to perform for them.
The Characters
Cicely Waters is a witch who learns in this story that she is also Cambrya Fae. Ulean is Cicely's Air Elemental, bound to her service. Krystal was her drug-addicted mother. Aunt Heather and cousin Rhiannon Roland were Cicely's only sense of true family she had growing up. Rhiannon teaches at the New Forest Conservatory, a school for the specially gifted.
Grieve has been Cicely's friend since she was very young; nine years ago, he wanted more. Her first love. He's also a prince in the Court of Rivers and Rushes, nephew to Lainule, the Queen of the Court, and born of the Cambyra Fae, a Shifting One. Chatter is his best friend and cousin, but not noble. Cicely learns that a Fae named Wrath is her father.
Anadey runs the town diner and is a shamanic witch who can work with all four elements. Peyton Moon Runner is her daughter as well as the short order cook. Her father, Rex, was a werepuma, and Peyton's half-breed status does her no favors. She dreams of starting a business, Magical Investigations, as a psychic investigator. Tyne, another Thirteen Moons Society member, is Marta's grandson. Jim Fischer is Marta's lawyer. Marta was an ancient witch who led the Thirteen Moons Society and had a successful magic practice in town.
Kaylin Chen speaks to ghosts, and he dreamwalks, possessed by a night-veil demon.
Geoffrey the Great is the Northwest Regent for the Vampire Nation, turned when he was a Mongolian lord. Leo Bryne is Geoffrey's day runner, a witch with a talent for herbs and healing, and Rhiannon's boyfriend. Elise is his sister and a Thirteen Moons Society member---she's vanished as well. Crawl is the Blood Oracle, a thing twisted and corrupt, a vampire who gave it up to become seer to the Queen. He sired Regina and Lannan. Regina Altos is the Emissary to the Crimson Court; her brother, Lannan, is a professor at the Conservatory, and also a vampire. A sadistic, cruel one who delights in the humiliation of others.
Dane was a tattoo artist and one of her mothers' many, many boyfriends, but he taught Cicely a number of useful tricks. Shy and Cherish are a young Fae couple in love, a Romeo and Juliet of a love and just as doomed, part of the Najeeling Prophecy.
The Vein Lords, a.k.a., the Crimson Court, a.k.a., the Vampire Nation, are the vampires. Myst is the Queen of the Indigo Court, a vampiric fae.
The Cover
The cover is deep purples and brilliant greens with a midnight forest and an owl silhouetted against a full moon with Cicely in her low-cut jeans, cropped knit top showcasing her wolf tattoo, and her back leather jacket. It's a confident look on Cicely's face, daring us to disbelieve.
The title is a blend of danger and antagonist---Night Myst---danger.
tuttidolci's review against another edition
1.0
Bummer.
The concept was unique. However, the execution was not good. It lacked focus and was sloppy and immature. In fact, it felt like something that my 13 year-old self could've written (I used to sneak-read Bodice Rippers at that age, so I could write a "story" with graphic sex scenes like the best of 'em).
I found myself skimming through parts which seemed like pure filler, and feeling disappointed when arriving at scenes that COULD'VE led to an amazing climax (no pun intended) or built up the flow into the next one. Instead, they'd veer into "WTF?" land, with downright out of place, hokey, awkward nonsense. As a result, I never connected with or even LIKED any character. In fact, the lead character, Cicely, was an impulsive, clichéd, weak, dog-in-heat that I could neither respect nor cheer for. And looking like a tattooed, goth chick did not magically make her a badass. At all.
Anywhoodle, let me go on record to state that I don't normally bother to write negative reviews, as I think that low star ratings speak for themselves. However, this story really disappointed me, because the premise was indeed unique, which gave it so much potential for development. But seeing said potential mismanaged when put into story form, completely turned me off.
The concept was unique. However, the execution was not good. It lacked focus and was sloppy and immature. In fact, it felt like something that my 13 year-old self could've written (I used to sneak-read Bodice Rippers at that age, so I could write a "story" with graphic sex scenes like the best of 'em).
I found myself skimming through parts which seemed like pure filler, and feeling disappointed when arriving at scenes that COULD'VE led to an amazing climax (no pun intended) or built up the flow into the next one. Instead, they'd veer into "WTF?" land, with downright out of place, hokey, awkward nonsense. As a result, I never connected with or even LIKED any character. In fact, the lead character, Cicely, was an impulsive, clichéd, weak, dog-in-heat that I could neither respect nor cheer for. And looking like a tattooed, goth chick did not magically make her a badass. At all.
Anywhoodle, let me go on record to state that I don't normally bother to write negative reviews, as I think that low star ratings speak for themselves. However, this story really disappointed me, because the premise was indeed unique, which gave it so much potential for development. But seeing said potential mismanaged when put into story form, completely turned me off.
keberwick's review against another edition
2.0
Oh boy, I have completely changed my mind about this book. It wasn't as good as I remembered and everything just felt slightly off. The abundance of explainers slipped into conversation is the first major complaint that I had. I felt like they were just blatantly put there with no effort to disguise them and even though explainers are almost a requirement for books like these, I felt like other books integrate them better into the conversation and the flow of the book.
I really wanted to be able to re-read and love this book like I did when I first read it. In fact, I wasn't even going to reread it because I thought it was so good that I would of course remember what had happened in the first book and there was no reason to remind myself before diving into the second book. Oh how wrong I was.
The idea is great, sure, but it's not executed perfectly. I wouldn't actively dissuade someone from reading it, but I'm sure as hell not going to recommend it.
I really wanted to be able to re-read and love this book like I did when I first read it. In fact, I wasn't even going to reread it because I thought it was so good that I would of course remember what had happened in the first book and there was no reason to remind myself before diving into the second book. Oh how wrong I was.
The idea is great, sure, but it's not executed perfectly. I wouldn't actively dissuade someone from reading it, but I'm sure as hell not going to recommend it.
redentrapy's review against another edition
4.0
A great story of Fae, undead, magic, and past lives merging to making a tantalizing and riveting tale. With violence, blood, and sex this is a page turner right from the beginning. The characters are a little underdeveloped but the plot line is completely original and very interesting. Can't wait for the next installment.
kim_brockway_gatehouse's review against another edition
3.0
A Fast-paced First Installment in this PNR Urban Fantasy Series
Yasmine Galenorn is a new-to-me author (although I have read and enjoyed a couple of her stories that have appeared in various box sets) and I loved the premise for this series; the new twisted mythology behind vampires and fae.
I loved the urban setting of this paranormal romance; the world building was complex, as was the cast of characters.
What niggled was that I found it hard to connect to our heroine, Cicely, and throughout this book I felt lost a numerous times; the narrative and dialogue didn't read like a first in series book but one where we the readers already knew the characters, past situations and histories.
Although I did enjoy this book, it hasn't gripped me enough to continue with the series.
Yasmine Galenorn is a new-to-me author (although I have read and enjoyed a couple of her stories that have appeared in various box sets) and I loved the premise for this series; the new twisted mythology behind vampires and fae.
I loved the urban setting of this paranormal romance; the world building was complex, as was the cast of characters.
What niggled was that I found it hard to connect to our heroine, Cicely, and throughout this book I felt lost a numerous times; the narrative and dialogue didn't read like a first in series book but one where we the readers already knew the characters, past situations and histories.
Although I did enjoy this book, it hasn't gripped me enough to continue with the series.